Mumps outbreak investigated in Marion County
Four cases of mumps have been confirmed in Marion County, the most in any one year in a decade.
Since October 3, 12 suspected cases were reported to health officials; eight of those turned out to be a different infection, but four have been confirmed as mumps, according to a statement released by the Marion County Health Department.
Prior to this year's outbreak, there was one case reported in 2012, one in 2009 and one in 2006, according to the Marion County Health Department internal database tracking the reports.
"What we're seeing is very uncommon," said Karen Landers, Marion County Health Officer.
Mumps is a viral disease that can be spread by coughing or sneezing on an another person, Landers said.
"If you look at the reports across the country though, there are a lot of mumps going aroundy," Landers said.
Landers refers to mumps outbreaks in Iowa and Illinois, where hundreds of college students were infected, according to the Centers of Disease Control.
Of the people infected in Marion County, ages range from 1 year old to 40.
Landers said it's taken a couple of weeks to confirm the local reports were indeed mumps, and not another viral infection masquerading as mumps.
"Since there are other viral infections that can cause swelling of the salivary glands, we had to do special viral isolation tests," Landers said.
It's tough to pinpoint a reason behind the sudden boost in cases, but Landers did mention some people who choose not to vaccinate their children or themselves as a contributing factor.
Landers said any time there is a low level of vaccines in a population, which can be defined as not having both doses of the MMR (measles, mumps adn rubella) vaccine or just one dose of the vaccine, the virus is bound to spread easily.
Oregon law requires students who attend school to receive two doses of MMR, with the first dose starting as children enter kindergarten. The second vaccine should be received at least 28 days after the first dose is administered.
As of 2015, 82 percent of 2-year-olds in Marion County were up to date on their MMR vaccines. In Polk County, roughly 77 percent of 2-year-olds were up to date on their MMR vaccines, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
"The best way you can prevent mumps is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine," Landers said.
Spot the mumps
Landers said like many viral illnesses, early mumps symptoms can mirror cold or flu symptoms. Swelling underneath the ear and jaw are classic indicators for the mumps, Landers said.
Infected people can spread the virus to others as soon as two days before symptoms arise, and until five days after the swelling begins.
Landers cautions anyone who experiences symptoms of the mumps to watch the signs and contact their health care provider if the illness develops. Diagnosed people should stay home for five days after the start of swelling and not attend school, work, or visit public places where they could infect others.
To schedule an appointment with the Marion County Health Department to update your MMR vaccination, call 503-588-5342.