The number of mumps cases in the Hawaii outbreak has grown to 284 cases in 2017 to date and health officials say this could continue continue for a year or more.
As of Thursday, Oahu has seen 254 cases, Kauai -24, Hawaii-5 and Maui-1. In all of 2016, Hawaii saw just 10 total cases of mumps.
The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) advises the following to prevent mumps:
- Ensure your family is fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.
- All children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine which protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The first dose is given at age 12–15 months and the second dose routinely at 4–6 years of age. However, due to the continued circulation of mumps in Hawaii, children between 1–4 years of age should receive their second dose now (a minimum of 4 weeks after the first dose).
- All adults born in or after 1957, without evidence of immunity to mumps, who cannot verify previous MMR vaccination, should receive one MMR dose.
- Individuals with only one documented MMR dose, are strongly encouraged to consider receiving a second MMR vaccine dose.
In general, although it is not ideal, receiving extra doses of vaccine poses no medical problem.
- Patients suspected or diagnosed with mumps should self-isolate and avoid going out and exposing others for 9 days after onset of parotitis (swelling of the salivary glands).
- People who have been exposed to mumps and are not vaccinated should not attend school, work or travel from day 12 through day 25 after exposure.
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