DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- A mumps epidemic is sweeping across Iowa in the nation's biggest outbreak in at least 17 years, baffling health officials and worrying parents.

As of Thursday, the latest report available, 245 confirmed, probable or suspected cases of mumps had been reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health since mid-January.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is the nation's only outbreak, which the CDC defines as five or more cases in a concentrated area.

"We are calling this an epidemic," said Iowa state epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, explaining that mumps has spread to more than one-third of the state and does not appear to be confined to certain age groups or other sectors of the population.

Quinlisk said Iowa has had about five cases of mumps a year in recent years, and this is its first large outbreak in nearly 20 years.

"We're trying to figure out why is it happening, why is it happening in Iowa and why is it happening right now. We don't know," she said.

CDC spokeswoman Lola Russell said the federal agency has no answers yet. But Quinlisk said one theory is that the infection was brought over from England -- perhaps by a college student -- because the strain seen in Iowa has been identified by the CDC as the same one that has caused tens of thousands of cases of the mumps in a major outbreak in Britain over the past two years.

"It may have been a college student, since we did see the first activities on college campuses, but we can't prove that," Quinlisk said. The Public Health Department said 23 percent of the 245 reported patients are in college.

The CDC said it is the nation's biggest epidemic of mumps since 269 cases were reported in Douglas County, Kansas, from October 1988 to April 1989.

Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and swelling of the glands close to the jaw. It can cause serious complications, including meningitis, damage to the testicles and deafness.

A mumps vaccine was introduced in 1967. Iowa law requires schoolchildren to be vaccinated against measles and rubella, and the mumps vaccine is included in the same shot. The state's last major outbreak was in 1987, when 476 people were infected.

Of the 245 patients this year, at least 66 percent had had the recommended two-shot vaccination, while 14 percent had received one dose, the Public Health Department said.

"The vaccine is working," Quinlisk said. "The vaccine certainly was made to cover this particular strain, because it's a fairly common strain of mumps." Quinlisk said the vaccine overall is considered about 95 percent effective.

Quinlisk said the mumps outbreak started in eastern Iowa and is spreading statewide and possibly into the neighboring states of Illinois, Minnesota and Nebraska. Those states may have one or two cases, she said.

When 11-year-old Will Hean of Davenport starting feeling sick in mid-January, his family thought he had a bad case of the flu. But his face and throat swelled and his temperature climbed to 103. His parents took him to the doctor, and he was diagnosed to their surprise with full-blown mumps.

About two weeks later, the Heans' daughter, Kate, 21, came down with the mumps, too.

Both children had gotten the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or MMR. So had their other son, 13-year-old Jimmy, who did not get the mumps.

"He had all the shots and everything. You don't think you're going to get the mumps after you've been inoculated," said Will's father, Wayne Hean.



We now have several cases in Kansas, the latest only 50 miles away. This thing is crazy. We are having a meeting with our medical staff here at the hospital to discuss what we need to do for a response.

God Bless,
K.D.

I did have the mumps a long time ago. It didn't really bother me, I remember having a fever and my cheeks swelling up like a chipmunk's but other than that it wasn't too bad.

You can get the mumps again. I've had them too. It was unpeasent. It's worse if you are older. My neighbor got complications as a young adult and couldn't have babies because of it....It was sad.

Erm...we'll pass on the vaccine. If wee one gets it, he gets it...we're prepared.

And, I have to say I take total exception to this statement, and the misinformation!



No state has a law requiring vaccinations. Only mandates. And every state offers exemptions in one form or another. And yes, your children can still go to public school if unvaccinated, as long as there is an exemption held by the parents. So much disinformation. *Sigh*

I have a feeling that this will be only the beginning of outbreaks, and plauges...I think the only true vacination will be a heart filled with the Love of God!

I believe this to GL......

I believe it too.

Amen and amen!!

More update:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with state health departments to notify airline passengers who may have been exposed to mumps on nine flights from March 26-April 2 that carried two people later diagnosed with the viral infection in Iowa. The agency said passengers on the Northwest and American flights who experience symptoms of the illness within 21 days of travel should be evaluated by a health care provider, and suspected cases reported immediately to public health officials. Iowa has been experiencing a large mumps outbreak since last December, with 515 cases reported this year. Mumps activity, possibly linked to the Iowa outbreak, also is under investigation in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin.


What is alarming is that the vacinations don't seem to be protecting some of the folks.
Sorry about any mis-information. I just posted the article to introduce the subject, and that it has occured only 50 miles from where I live.

K.D.

Amazing, isn't it? Especially as we are told my medical "experts" how wonderful vaccines are. I am not saying there has never been a place for vaccines, nor am I telling anyone to NOT vaccinate...that's a personal decision...however, too many peope are absolutely uneducated on them, their ingredients, how they are cultured, and the dangers of receiving them. Now, I'm not a conspiracy theorist, nor am I on the autism bandwagon...though I definitely believe there is a connection...however, I have a son who suffered an hours long hypertonic-hyporesponsive episode (also called hypronic-hyporesponsive episode) at 5 months of age, beginning within 2 hours of vaccination. To say it was the absolutely most horrific day of my life is a vast understatement. For us, the extreme minimal risk of complications due to disease, is far less risky, than vaccination complication. I also find it quite comical that they have been giving vaccines to those already exposed. A bit of a day late and a dollar short, no? The facts are, vaccines can aid in immunity, in some of the population, but they truly do come with large risks. I strongly suggest that people educate themselves on them (and not only via gov. websites...weigh as much data as you can) and then make the decision.



Oh hon, sorry if it seemed I was implying that you were the source of misinformation...as you clearly were only posting an article. I meant the misinformation was coming from the CDC, and the media hysteria. I apologise if you felt I was pointing the finger at you, as I certainly was not. I'm a bit impassioned about this topic, understandably. Ironically, we are in the midst of the outbreak, and just spent a week up in eastern Iowa where it all began. As of this point, no signs or symptoms from my wee one. Then again, we use organic supplements, etc, and even though I would prefer my wee one to get the mumps at this age, so far, it seems we'll be missing them.

I had double mumps as a small boy. It was very painful and the only thing that I could eat was white bread w/out crust mushed up in milk. It was actually good, after not being able to eat anything else for a while. It was the 2nd most painful thing I've ever had, Only encephalitus(sp?) was worse. My sibs had single mumps and they were in a lot of pain too. I cried a lot. I was about 4.

I'm so sorry that you remember!

I pray the Lord reminds you of happy memories that you haven't thought of in years!

Love you David!
Lisa

Lisa, you're always full of happy thoughts! Thanks for being such a sweetie! You make me smile when I read your encouraging posts!

Love ya!

Well thank you Rose!

I Love you too!!!

You're sooo sweet! Thanks