Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) issued their first mumps health advisory on Nov. 22 when a confirmed case was reported in Dallas and since then, 10 cases have been reported in the area.
Image/David Benbennick via Wikimedia Commons
The exposure to mumps has been identified as travel related and is not associated with any other Dallas County case.
DCHHS Health officials are urging immunization to protect against and prevent the spread of mumps. People who have had two mumps vaccinations (such as two MMR vaccines) are usually considered immune from mumps.
“At two doses, the MMR vaccine has 88% effectiveness,” said Dr. Christopher Perkins, Dallas County medical director/health authority. “Getting vaccinated is the best option for protection in addition to washing hands frequently and cleaning/disinfecting objects or surfaces that may be contaminated with germs.”
DCHHS provides the MMR vaccine for children and adults at the main clinic located at 2377 N. Stemmons Frwy in Dallas, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The increased number of mumps cases reported in the North Texas area underscore the importance of getting your children vaccinated,” said DCHHS Director Zachary Thompson.
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