In a follow-up on the mumps outbreaks in Arkansas and Oklahoma, health officials in Arkansas have seen the outbreak top 200 cases with official suspected and lab confirmed cases now at 210.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

The outbreak affects 30 schools in the Huntsville, Rogers, and Springdale School Districts in northwest Arkansas.

In the mumps outbreak in Garfield County, Oklahoma, the number cases has risen to 14, up 10 cases in less than a week.  State and local public health officials are working closely with schools and healthcare providers to rapidly identify suspected cases and exclude affected persons from childcare centers, schools or workplaces during the timeframe they are able to transmit mumps to other persons.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mumps is a viral illness that is transmitted by direct contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person. It is best known for painful, swollen salivary glands that show up as puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. Boys may also have painful, swollen testicles. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscles aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. There is no treatment, and symptoms usually resolve themselves within a few weeks. Mumps is usually a mild disease in children, but adults may have more serious disease with complications.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine is 88 percent effective in preventing mumps.

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