(JEFFERSON COUNTY) Reported cases of mumps are on the rise in the Hawkeye State.
So far this year, there are 60 reported cases, and three of those are in Jefferson County.
"Mumps have been in Iowa for the last 10 years, but this year we've had more mumps cases than we've had in the last 10 years combined," said Vickie McKeever with Jefferson County Public Health.
Iowa's recent mumps outbreak is believed to be from a rare strain of the virus.
"The strain of the virus is called sero-type G, and that particular sero-type has been circulating in the United Kingdom for awhile," said Dr. Mary Gilchrist with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Hygienic Lab.
Symptoms of the mumps are fever, headache and swollen salivary glands. The infection is spread by droplets from the nose or throat.
"Wash your hands, always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, don't share eating utensils and get vaccinated," said McKeever.
A person is contagious three days before symptoms appear and up to four days after. Symptoms can appear anywhere between 12 and 25 days after infection.
Mumps are uncomfortable and require a person to stay home and drink lots of fluids, but the disease rarely results in death.
Jefferson County hasn't seen an active case in the past 10 days, so now it's a waiting game to see if more appear.
"These bacteria viruses that we are trying to prevent sometimes give us a little surprises, and we'll certainly deal with this one," said Dr. Gilchrist.
The University of Iowa Hygienic Lab is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to try and find the source of the strain.
The Jefferson County Public Health Office is offering free MMR immunizations to children 18 and under.
Officials say just go to the public health office on West Briggs between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.
-- Danielle Wagner, Reporting
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