No mumps reported in Marion County yet
Staff reporter
While the eyes of the nation and state are on the bird flu pandemic, a rapid increase of mumps cases has health officials concerned.
Due to the increase of cases in Kansas and the Midwest, Kansas Department of Health and Environment is monitoring the situation and asking physicians to submit all suspected cases for laboratory testing.
To date, there are 48 cases — confirmed, probable, or suspect. The majority of the cases are in Lawrence at the University of Kansas with other cases reported in Douglas, Saline, Norton, Geary, Johnson, Leavenworth, and Shawnee counties.
In 2005, Kansas did not receive any reports of mumps cases. From 1994 to 2004, there were a total of 17 cases statewide.
Marion County Health Administrator Deidre Serene said she is not aware of any concerns in Marion County.
"Physicians are supposed to submit lab reports to the state and after the state has confirmed the cases, county health officials are notified," said Serene.
Iowa currently is experiencing an outbreak and reported more than 300 cases, which includes confirmed, probable, and suspect. The strain of mumps found in Kansas is the same as in Iowa. The majority of the individuals in Kansas and Iowa received the recommended two MMR vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella.
KDHE is investigating the situations to determine if the Kansas and Iowa cases are related.
Mumps is a viral infection and transmitted through saliva, coughing, sneezing, or being in close contact (within three feet) of an infected person for an hour. Symptoms include fever, swelling, and tenderness in glands, especially around the neck and jaw. Severe cases can cause hearing loss and spinal meningitis.
Individuals who contract mumps are most contagious from two days prior to symptoms appearing to four days following the appearance of symptoms. The virus can be found in saliva up to nine days after symptoms appear.
