Mumps Outbreak in Anchorage Reaches 136 People

The Anchorage mumps outbreak that started during the summer of 2017, continues to spread.

As of December 28. 2017, 136 confirmed and probable mumps cases have been reported to the Alaska Section of Epidemiology (SOE).

In the past five years, Alaska reported an average of 1 mumps case per year.

During the years 2015-17, mumps outbreaks have been reported in Arkansas, Hawaii, Missouri, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington, with an average of fewer than 500 cases reported annually.

This interactive map highlights global outbreaks of measles, mumps, rubella from 2008-2017.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus.

Not all of the mumps cases are linked epidemiologically, suggesting that transmission in the community is occurring, says the Alaska SOE.

According to the Alaska SOE, vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best way to prevent infection with the mumps virus.

Alaska is now recommending a second dose of the vaccine for any school-age children who have only received one dose, and for adults who are at high risk of mumps exposure.

For people in group settings where mumps is currently circulating, or for Anchorage residents who are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders, the state is recommending:

• a second dose of the vaccine for anyone whose first dose was at least four weeks ago, and
• a third dose for anyone whose last round of the vaccine was more than five years ago

The State says anyone with mumps should self-isolate by staying home and away from public spaces like school and work. Persons are infectious from 2 days before the onset of parotitis (swelling of the salivary glands) and until 5 days after swelling started.

In the USA, Merck is the manufacturer of the ProQuad vaccine, which is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella in children 12 months through 12 years of age.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector MMR vaccine prices for general information, and vaccine discounts can be found here.

Most pediatricians and pharmacies offer MMR vaccines.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.