In a follow-up on the mumps outbreak linked to a dance in Wilmington, The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is now confirming nine cases of the mumps as part of its ongoing investigation of an outbreak among attendees at a February dance festival in New Castle County.

Mumps virus/CDC
Mumps virus/CDC

Seven of the nine confirmed cases either attended, or lived with persons who attended, a social dance (Baile Mejicano or Mexican Dance) that took place at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington on Feb.10, 2018. An eighth person was working at another Baile Mejicano dance, held at the same location, which occurred on March 3, 2018. DPH is still investigating the source of another person’s exposure to the mumps virus.

DPH is now recommending that anyone who attended either the Feb. 10 or March 3, 2018, dances contact their primary care physician to determine if they may have contracted mumps and if they and their family or close contacts need to receive vaccination against mumps.

“With a confirmed case of mumps showing up in someone involved in a second – more recent – social dance in such a short period of time, we are stepping up our outreach to attendees, whether or not they developed symptoms, and those living with persons who are confirmed to have mumps, to contact their primary care provider as soon as possible for evaluation for mumps and vaccination where recommended,” said DPH Medical Director Dr. Awele Maduka-Ezeh.