Mumps vigilance advised as cases increase

The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education advises that the best prevention against mumps...
The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education advises that the best prevention against mumps is immunisation. Photo Getty
Otago schools are warning parents to be vigilant as health officials express fears of an outbreak of mumps in New Zealand.

Public Health deputy director Harriette Carr said there had been 39 "confirmed and probable cases'' of mumps reported in New Zealand, between September 1, 2016, and March 1, 2017.

The number was up to three times higher than for the corresponding periods in the previous three years.

Most of the cases were reported from the Auckland region (26 cases).

Other affected district health board areas are Northland (three cases), Lakes (three), Capital and Coast, Canterbury (two each), Taranaki, Hutt Valley and West Coast (one each).

"Sixteen of the cases were likely to have been acquired overseas,'' Dr Carr said.

The age range of affected persons is 2 to 34 years, with about half the cases occurring in school-aged children and half in young adults.

"Though spread has been limited at this stage, there is an increased risk of further outbreaks, particularly given the start of the year for schools and universities,'' she said.

Otago Primary Principals' Association chairwoman and Musselburgh School principal Debbie Smith said schools were being cautious in light of the threat.

"I would make sure there's something in school newsletters so people can be aware of it.

"Principals should follow the Ministry of Health's lead and I suggest that parents keep an eye out.''

The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education advised the best prevention against the disease was immunisation with two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR), which is free.

Taking action before a mumps outbreak could minimise the effect or spread of the illness, Dr Carr said.

"School and university staff, educators, students and parents can help prevent mumps spreading in the community by making sure that their immunisations and their children's immunisations are up to date.

"If they are unsure, encourage them to check with their family doctor.

"Anybody not fully vaccinated with MMR for their age, must get vaccinated, that is, all school-age and older students must have had two doses of MMR,'' she said.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

Identification and isolation
 

• Mumps is a disease notifiable to the local Medical Health Officer.

• Symptoms include sore and swollen areas under the jaw/around the face, usuallyaccompanied or preceded by fever, muscle soreness, poor appetite, fatigue and headache.

• If a person develops symptoms of mumps, isolate them from others and call Healthline on 0800 611-116 as soon as possible.

• Susceptible people include those born after 1981 who have not had a mumps infection or have not been fully vaccinated.

• People with mumps, and those who have been exposed to mumps, should not attend education or workplaces or mix with other susceptible people while they are infectious.

• A person can be infectious for seven days before the swelling of the salivary gland(s), and for five days after the swelling has gone down.

• Complications include orchitis (inflammation of the testicles) in adult males; oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries and/or breast tissue [mastitis]) in adult females; inflammation of the brain (encephalitis); inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis); and deafness.

• Following a case of mumps, the local medical officer of health will make the decision on the exclusion from educational facilities of susceptible children or adults exposed to the case.


 

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