Mumps Cases Swell in the Dallas Area

The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting 37 mumps cases in Dallas County so far in 2017.

Twenty-nine were between students and teachers at Cedar Hill High School and the other 8, which were unrelated, occurred in the cities of Mesquite and Dallas.

DCHHS Health officials are urging patients to get vaccines to protect against and prevent the spread of mumps.

People who have had two mumps vaccines, such as two mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccines, are usually considered immune to mumps.

A 3rd dose of the MMR vaccine is only recommended by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) when an individual is associated with an ongoing outbreak.

“At two doses, the MMR vaccine is very impactful at 88% effectiveness,” said Dr. Christopher Perkins, Dallas County medical director/health authority. “A third dose is recommended if you have been associated with an outbreak. Ensuring you are up to date with your vaccination is the best protection in addition to washing hands frequently and cleaning/disinfecting objects or surfaces that may be contaminated with germs."

Mumps is a contagious viral disease that typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, followed by swollen salivary glands. Most people recover completely in a few weeks. However, it can cause other health problems such as swollen testicles, brain, ovaries, and breasts as well as meningitis and becoming deaf.

Merck is the manufacturer of the mumps vaccine. MMR and ProQuad both contain proper protection for mumps, as well as protection for measles, and rubella. ProQuad also protects against the chicken pox.

The CDC recommends that children get 2 doses of MMR vaccine:

• the 1st dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and
• the 2nd dose at 4 to 6 years of age.
• Children can receive the 2nd dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

Students at colleges, trade schools, and training programs who do not have evidence of protection against mumps need 2 doses of the MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.

People who are born during or after 1957 who do not have evidence of protection against mumps should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.

The CDC Vaccine Price Lists provide current vaccine contract prices and list the private sector vaccine prices for general information.