Iowa is to open clinics to immunize young people in Iowa. A mumps outbreak has infected 975 people so far in the state. 25,000 vaccine doses will be given to 18-22 year olds, the most vulnerable group.

Most of the current mumps cases have been among young adults, the majority of whom had been vaccinated when they were little. Scientists are investigating whether this virus is exceptionally infectious or less susceptible to the vaccine.

Many (including health care professionals) believe the vaccine may not be as effective as first thought. Others say it is likely that the young people becoming infected did not have the recommended two shots.

The immunization clinics will target university, college and higher education students.

Seven neighbouring states have reported significant increases in mumps cases.

This is the biggest mumps outbreak the USA has seen in 20 years and it shows no signs of slowing. Federal officials warned that the outbreak is likely to continue to spread. A number of people who catch mumps never show any symptoms but can infect others. As college students leave for the summer and go back home there is a good chance the infection will spread more rapidly.

So far, 20 people have been hospitalized. Nobody has become severely ill.

A high number of infections have been reported in Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Some information about Mumps

HOW LONG DOES MUMPS LASTS

If you catch mumps, you will probably be ill for 7 – 10 days.

THE SYMPTOMS

Mumps will make you feel generally unwell, and 60-70% of those infected will develop symptoms such as:

— Painful and swollen glands in the cheeks, neck or under the jaw
— Fever
— Headache
— Abdominal pain
— Loss of appetite

SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS

Although most people will get over mumps without too many problems, a number will go on to develop serious complications.

The numbers in the brackets indicate how common each complication is, based on reports of past cases of the disease:

— in older males, swollen, painful testicles (1 in 5)
— central nervous system involvement is common – meningitis/encephalitis (1 in 200-5,000)
— pancreatitis (1 in 30)
— deafness – usually with partial or complete recovery (1 in 25)
— mumps during pregnancy can lead to spontaneous abortion.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today