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| POSTED 8/8/2006 |
Mumps Outbreak in Adults
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During the first half of 2006, 11 states reported outbreaks of mumps. Most of the cases were in the Midwest, but Pennsylvania also was included. Although most of those cases were due to local transmission or clusters, some were associated with travel involving eight different airlines and 33 commercial flights.
The median age of the affected adults was 21, and the peak week occurred in April. Approximately two-thirds (66 percent) of the affected individuals reported parotitis (inflammation of the parotid gland) as a complication, and 2 percent suffered from orchitis (inflammation of the testicle). Only 0.08 percent of oophoritis (inflammation of one or both ovaries) or mastitis (painful swollen breasts) was reported. Six percent of those that contracted mumps were not vaccinated and 12 percent had only received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In 31 percent of the cases, there were no vaccination records.
If you are to travel, it might be useful to check your vaccination record and/or your immune status by obtaining a simple test. Orchitis and oophoritis, although unusual, may have a deleterious effect on your reproductive potential.
Date Posted: August 8, 2006
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