Watauga County mumps diagnosis remains isolated, health officials continue to urge public vigilance

Posted April 10, 2017 at 5:31 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Appalachian District Health Department (AppHealthCare) and Appalachian State University are continuing to monitor one case of mumps in an Appalachian State University student, which was confirmed on April 7.

They are working in close consultation with the North Carolina Division of Public Health Communicable Disease team, and are cooperating to share information and take action as appropriate.

“While at this time, no additional cases of mumps have been detected in Watauga County,” said Public Health Director for AppHealthCare Beth Lovette, “we remain on heightened alert for anyone with signs and symptoms compatible with mumps.”

Dr. Robert Ellison, director of Appalachian State University’s Student Health Service stated, “We continue to urge vigilance. Symptoms of mumps are similar to those of other illnesses, like cold and flu, so be on alert.”

Ellison indicated the virus is spread through close contact, like kissing, drinking after someone else, coughing or sneezing. “If you are not feeling well, do not engage in social activity or share drinks, towels, clothing or other items with anyone,” he said.

Ellison said Appalachian State University students with symptoms of concern should contact Student Health Services at 828-262-3100. Calls to this number are answered 24/7.

Members of the community who are concerned about symptoms are encouraged to contact their primary health care providers, urgent care or Watauga Medical Center.

Those exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below should take precautionary steps to limit contact with others.

Lovette emphasized the importance of vaccinations in preventing an outbreak. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend two doses of the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The recommended two doses of the vaccine provide approximately 88 percent protection against infection. A single dose of the vaccine provides approximately 78 percent protection.

The individual diagnosed with the virus is being treated, per guidelines established by the State of North Carolina and the Centers for Disease Control. Lovette reported that the ill student has fully cooperated in following isolation instructions.

Information below is being shared with the public to assist in preventing the spread of mumps.

What causes mumps?

Mumps is caused by a virus.

How does mumps spread?

The mumps virus is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva or through sharing items like cups or utensils with an infected person. The risk of spreading the virus increases the longer and the closer the contact a person has with someone who has mumps. The average incubation period (from exposure to onset of illness) for mumps is 16 to 18 days, with a range of 12– 25 days. People with mumps are considered most infectious from two days before through five days after the onset of symptoms.

What are the symptoms of mumps?

Individuals with mumps usually first feel sick with nonspecific symptoms like headache, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever. The most well-known sign of mumps is parotitis, the swelling of the parotid salivary glands, below the ear. Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease. There are no medicines to treat mumps, but most people recover completely in a few weeks.

Prevention

Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps. Two doses of MMR vaccine are approximately 88% effective at preventing the disease; one dose is approximately 78% effective.

MMR vaccine should be administered to persons without evidence of immunity and everyone should be brought up to date with age appropriate vaccination (one or two doses). Although MMR vaccination has not been shown to be effective in preventing mumps in persons already infected, it will prevent infection in those persons who are not yet exposed or infected. Those born before or during 1957 are considered immune based on likely exposure during childhood.

It is important to recognize that mumps can occur in vaccinated people. During mumps outbreaks in highly vaccinated communities, the proportion of cases that occur among people who have been vaccinated may be high. This should not be interpreted as meaning that the vaccine is not effective; people who have not been vaccinated against mumps are much more likely to get mumps than those who have been fully vaccinated. Clinicians should ensure that all healthcare personnel in their offices have presumptive evidence of immunity.

Additional information is available at:

Any further communications related to additional measures to prevent additional cases of mumps in our community will be communicated to the media, as well as posted to http://www.apphealthcare.com.