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Arkansas mumps outbreak grows to more than 500 cases

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Health officials said an outbreak of mumps in northwestern Arkansas has reached more than 500 cases — the largest ever recorded in the state.

Some 567 patients in Benton, Madison and Washington counties, 71% of them children, either displayed symptoms of mumps or had their cases confirmed by a laboratory as of Monday, according to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).

“It’s bigger than anything we’ve seen so far,” Gary Wheeler, MD, MPS, ADH chief medical officer, told Infectious Disease News. “I think we’re still in the middle of it.”

The outbreak has affected four school districts and two private schools, the ADH said. Students in these schools who have not received the MMR vaccine are required to stay home for 26 days from the date of exposure or for the duration of the outbreak. Previously unvaccinated children who get immunized can return to school immediately. Schools are removed from the outbreak list once they reach 26 days without a new case.

The outbreak, which also is affecting 15 workplaces, comes during a nationwide increase in mumps cases this year in the United States. According to the CDC, as of Sept. 10, 44 states had reported nearly 1,900 cases of mumps — the most since 2010.

“This may be the new norm,” said Wheeler.

Mumps is spread through saliva or mucus and causes symptoms that include puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw, which are a result of swollen salivary glands. Most people recover completely within a few weeks. According to the CDC, receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine is 88% effective at preventing infection.

In Arkansas, the affected school districts are Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale. Two private schools, Springdale Early Learning Academy and Springdale Head Start-Airport Avenue, also have seen cases.

The ADH is updating case numbers and locations each day on its website. – by Gerard Gallagher

Reference:

Arkansas Department of Health. Mumps update. 2016 http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/infectiousDisease/CommunicableDisease/Documents/101416ADHMumpsUpdate.pdf. Accessed Oct. 17, 2016.

For more information:

CDC. Mumps. 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html. Accessed Oct. 17, 2016.

Disclosure: Wheeler works for the state of Arkansas.