Four mumps cases reported in Shelby County

A year after dealing with an outbreak of measles, Shelby County health officials on Thursday reported there have been four cases of mumps in the Memphis area since March.As with measles, the mumps cases underscore the importance of residents getting immunized with vaccines, Health Department officials said.The local cases follow recent outbreaks across much of the nation. Since Jan. 1, at least 2,570 people in 42 states and the District of Columbia have been infected with mumps, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Neighboring Arkansas and Missouri were among the hardest-hit states.Given the other outbreaks, “we weren’t overly surprised” with the local cases, Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter said. “It’s a good opportunity to remind people that mumps is still in our community and it’s important to be adequately immunized.”Mumps is a virus that is spread through droplets expelled when people cough or sneeze, but it’s not nearly as contagious as measles, Haushalter said. The virus usually is contracted by people in small groups — say, residents sharing a college dormitory. “We don’t think you’re going to be able to go to the grocery story and get mumps,” she said.Patients often don’t become ill until two or three… Read full this story

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