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Mumps and our schools
A large
outbreak of mumps is occurring in some Midwestern states. As of
May 2, South Dakota had six confirmed cases of mumps, 20
probable cases and 6 suspect cases.
Currently, the
South Dakota Department of Health is not asking school
districts to take any extraordinary measures related to
mumps prevention. Rather, the department encourages school
districts to follow common sense measures. Questions regarding
the mumps should be directed to the South Dakota Department of
Health at 1-800-592-1861.
The resources
below are designed to provide basic information about the mumps
virus and mumps control, should an outbreak occur in your area.
Just the facts
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Mumps is an acute viral disease
characterized by fever, swelling and tenderness of one or
more of the salivary glands. Although older people may
contract the disease, mumps usually occurs in children
between the ages of five and 15.
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The incubation period for mumps
is usually 16 to 18 days, although it may vary from 14 to 25
days.
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Mumps virus is present in the
saliva from seven days prior to and nine days after the
onset of symptoms. A person is most contagious from two days
before swelling until four days after swelling starts. About
20 percent of infected people may have mild or no symptoms
and still be contagious.
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Two doses of MMR
(measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine are mandatory for school
entry in South Dakota and also are required for students
entering state colleges and universities. The vaccine is 80
percent effective with one dose and 90 percent effective
with two doses. Because the vaccine is not 100 percent
effective, some cases can occur in vaccinated persons.
- As with any infectious
disease, practice good hygiene. Wash your hands often. Cover
your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and stay home when
you’re sick.
Mumps Control
Should an outbreak occur in your
area, the American College Health Association and Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention offer the following
recommendations. IMPORTANT NOTE: These recommendations are
targeted to postsecondary institutions but may prove as helpful
guidelines in the K-12 setting as well.
The main strategy for controlling a
mumps outbreak is to define the at-risk population and
transmission setting, to prevent further transmission of cases
through isolation, and to protect susceptible populations with
vaccination.
Specific recommendations for
colleges and other
post-high school educational institutions are to:
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Rapidly identify susceptible
persons and vaccinate with up to two doses of MMR.
Susceptible persons may include undergraduate and graduate
students, faculty, and health care and other workers in
colleges and other post-high school educational institutions without evidence of mumps
immunity (physician diagnosis or laboratory evidence).
Although birth before 1957 is usually considered
proof of immunity, during an outbreak, one dose of vaccine
can be considered for this age group if the epidemiology of
the outbreak suggests that they are at increased risk of
disease. Once vaccinated,
persons, including health care workers, can be readmitted to
school or work.
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Exclude susceptible persons
from school or work to prevent exposure and transmission if
a contraindication to MMR vaccine exists. Exclusion of those
that remain susceptible should be from the 12th
day after the first exposure through the 26th day
after the last exposure (onset of parotitis) in the affected
institution.
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Identify and test suspected
cases for mumps and report cases to the local
public health agency.
Click here for information on collection and testing of
clinical specimens for mumps.
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Isolation of persons having
mumps for 9 days after symptom onset is very important to
prevent transmission on a college campus. Efforts should be
made to assure ill persons stay confined to their residence
hall room and/or home. In health care settings, the use of
respiratory precautions is recommended.
In addition to the above, the South
Dakota Department of Health adds the following: Any person who
has had exposure to mumps who is not vaccinated, able to show
evidence of physician-diagnosed mumps infection or serologic
evidence of exposure should be excluded from school. There is no
religious exemption for the exclusion from school.
For more information:
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