Mumps Continues to Spread in Four States

Oklahoma is the latest state to report an outbreak of mumps, joining Washington, New York, Arkansas, and Missouri in what’s become the heaviest season for confirmed cases in years. Washington, New York, and Arkansas continue to report new cases in multiple counties, while Missouri’s case load seems to have leveled off, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not surprisingly, most cases in every state are clustered around school populations, though in some cases those clusters include grade schoolers and in others they’re college students living in dorms or sharing off-campus quarters. Touch base with college health centers and local pediatric offices to let them know you’re available to evaluate patients for mumps today. In addition, the news presents an excellent opportunity to ask all patients if they’re up to date on their immunizations, regardless of what state your center sits in. Supportive care for mumps includes rest, fever-reducing pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, ice packs to reduce swollen glands, and increased fluid intake.