Texas Mumps Outbreak Highest in 22 Years

Texas health officials are investigating multiple outbreaks of mumps across the state, the highest number of cases of the disease in 22 years.
One concentration of mumps cases is on South Padre Island. The Texas Department of State Health Services has been notified of 13 mumps cases in people who traveled to South Padre Island between March 8 and March 22. Some of the cases involved people from six states; two people are from Texas.
Symptoms of mumps, which is highly contagious, include a low-grade fever, muscle pain, malaise, or headache, followed by swelling of the salivary glands. But up to 20 percent of people may have no symptoms.
Mumps is transmitted between people by saliva or respiratory droplets. Typically, it’s 16 to 18 days from exposure to the onset of salivary gland swelling, and people are contagious from three days before to five days after the start of the swelling.
People who might have the mumps should stay home from work, school, daycare and all public places until five days have passed since the start of symptoms. Those in close contact to those suspected to have mumps should watch for signs and symptoms for up to 25 days after the last contact.
Though complications are rare, they can include deafness, encephalitis, meningitis, oophoritis and pancreatitis.