The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has identified three confirmed cases and one suspected case of mumps on the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville campus in the last few weeks. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to make sure they are up to date on their Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccination and to seek care if they experience symptoms.
ADH is working closely with the UA Fayetteville campus to alert students and staff who may have been in close contact with the confirmed cases. These close contacts, as well as anyone with an MMR vaccine exemption on campus, are encouraged to seek vaccination. MMR vaccines are available at the Washington County Local Health Unit, and are also available at many doctors’ offices or local pharmacies. Vaccines are also available to the UA Fayetteville community at the Pat Walker Health Center on campus.
From August of 2016 to August of 2017, Arkansas experienced the second-largest mumps outbreak in the United States in the last 30 years. Nearly 3,000 mumps cases related to the outbreak during that period were identified.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mumps is a viral illness that is transmitted by direct contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person. It is best known for painful, swollen salivary glands that show up as puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. Boys may also have painful, swollen testicles. In some of these cases, fertility can be affected. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscles aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. There is no treatment, and symptoms usually resolve themselves within a few weeks. Mumps is usually a mild disease in children, but adults may have more serious disease with complications. Complications can include deafness and encephalitis. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain.
The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 88 percent effective in preventing mumps. It is a live virus vaccine and is not recommended for pregnant women or patients with a weakened immune system. Adults born before 1957 are generally considered to be immune to mumps and do not need to receive the MMR vaccine.
The Washington County Local Health Unit is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., can be reached at (479) 521-8181, and is located at 3270 Wimberly Drive in Fayetteville. Other local health unit location and contact information can be found on the ADH website at www.healthy.arkansas.gov/health-units.