A public service announcement for parents of young children.
Last updated: 4/21/2006 5:20:10 PM
By Erin O'Neill
KSDK-The outbreak of mumps in the Midwest continues to spread. It's raising questions about the disease and the vaccine used to protect against it. So far, more than 1,000 cases of mumps have been reported across the Midwest and more are expected.
Doctor Michael Williams is the Director of Communicable Disease Control and Emergency Preparedness for the St. Louis County Department of Health. Friday, he spoke to the Immunization Coalition of St. Louis about the mumps and he answered some frequently asked questions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the current outbreak of mumps in the U.S. is the largest in more than 20 years. Why now?
"You have immune folks and non immune folks and no problem as long as the virus doesn't come around. But it was introduced into Iowa from an outside source and it found those that say 10-percent that weren't immune and the outbreak began."
If you've already had two does of the MMR vaccine measles, mumps and rubella, do you need another?
"No there's no recommendation for additional vaccine for folks who've had two MMR's. Now for folks who've had only one it makes sense to go ahead and get the second one because the second dose would raise the likelihood from you being immune from about 80 percent 90 percent."
Why are mumps cases seen largely among people in their late teens and early 20's?
"It seems to me tied to travel and spring break and we have the potential that it was inoculated into a group in which a lot of traveling that's going on. It's a fact college kids share a lot of saliva. They share drinks. They kiss, they hang out together, close relationships and as a result there's a lot of saliva exchanged and so mumps because it's transmitted that way can be easily transmitted in that group."
What if you don't know if you've been vaccinated for the mumps? Will it hurt to have another MMR?
"It won't hurt to have two MMR's". Williams says if you've already had the mumps typically you won't get them again.
So far, mumps cases have been reported in seven states: Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma And Wisconsin. There are no confirmed cases in St. Louis. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite; followed by swelling of salivary glands. The parotid salivary glands (which are located within your cheek, near your jaw line, below your ears) are most frequently affected.
The best way to prevent the spread of any virus is to make sure you're up-to-date on vaccines. Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at 4 to 6 months of age.
KSDK
No. 128
By Erin O'Neill
KSDK-The outbreak of mumps in the Midwest continues to spread. It's raising questions about the disease and the vaccine used to protect against it. So far, more than 1,000 cases of mumps have been reported across the Midwest and more are expected.
Doctor Michael Williams is the Director of Communicable Disease Control and Emergency Preparedness for the St. Louis County Department of Health. Friday, he spoke to the Immunization Coalition of St. Louis about the mumps and he answered some frequently asked questions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the current outbreak of mumps in the U.S. is the largest in more than 20 years. Why now?
"You have immune folks and non immune folks and no problem as long as the virus doesn't come around. But it was introduced into Iowa from an outside source and it found those that say 10-percent that weren't immune and the outbreak began."
If you've already had two does of the MMR vaccine measles, mumps and rubella, do you need another?
"No there's no recommendation for additional vaccine for folks who've had two MMR's. Now for folks who've had only one it makes sense to go ahead and get the second one because the second dose would raise the likelihood from you being immune from about 80 percent 90 percent."
Why are mumps cases seen largely among people in their late teens and early 20's?
"It seems to me tied to travel and spring break and we have the potential that it was inoculated into a group in which a lot of traveling that's going on. It's a fact college kids share a lot of saliva. They share drinks. They kiss, they hang out together, close relationships and as a result there's a lot of saliva exchanged and so mumps because it's transmitted that way can be easily transmitted in that group."
What if you don't know if you've been vaccinated for the mumps? Will it hurt to have another MMR?
"It won't hurt to have two MMR's". Williams says if you've already had the mumps typically you won't get them again.
So far, mumps cases have been reported in seven states: Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma And Wisconsin. There are no confirmed cases in St. Louis. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite; followed by swelling of salivary glands. The parotid salivary glands (which are located within your cheek, near your jaw line, below your ears) are most frequently affected.
The best way to prevent the spread of any virus is to make sure you're up-to-date on vaccines. Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at 4 to 6 months of age.
KSDK
No. 128
posted by Crestwood Independent at 22:20
8 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
What does that have to do with the post?
What does the mumps problem have to do with the city of Crestwood? Why does Tom Ford feel the need to share this information? It is all over the airwaves and the newspaper. I have to say it is one of the few factually correct posts I have seen on here. I am suprised he did not make some inane comment about it being Don Greer's fault or the former BOA's fault that mumps is spreading.
To the first blogger, Tom Ford has every right to his blog and what he wants to say. If you don't like it, don't read it. Don't be bitter and accuse someone of lying because you don't like what he has to say.
Regarding comment at 10:01 and 10:34 on 4/23. Are you cracked in the head
or are you just brain dead? The election is over and Don Greer is gone.
Hello! No one is breaking your arm telling you that you have to read this blog.
Others who have a problem with it, just don't bother anymore with it. Why
don't you do the same! You are the one name dropping and being infantile by
thinking that all things begin and end with politics in the City of Crestwood.
Get a life. You have a choice you know! It's called if you don't like what
you read - DELETE IT!
ANONYMOUS
Personally, I like to "get away" from the problems at Crestwood sometimes. This is a very informative article.
Isn't this supposed to be some sort of "internet paper"? That includes fun and informative information too.
If you don't like it, get your own "blog site" and then other people can rip it apart like they do this one.
Keep up the good work, Mr. Ford.
From the news on the radio today the MUMPS has spread into St. Louis as of last week.
Symptoms include Fever, swolen glands, ETC. If you suspect anything like that in children, please take them to the doctor at once!
They also stated that if the child has had MUMPS shots, you may not need to worry, but keep a wary eye on the "little guys, and gals" anyway.
Tom Ford
News > Science & Medicine > Story
2 possible mumps cases reported at Clayton High School
By Deborah Shelton
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/02/2006
St. Louis county health officials are investigating two possible mumps cases at Clayton High School in Clayton.
A teacher and student at the school were sent home Monday after they complained of mumps-like symptoms, a spokesman for the school said. The spokesman did not know if the teacher and student had interacted.
Culture and blood samples to confirm mumps await lab analysis.
A letter sent to parents today said most students at the school have been vaccinated but parents should check their children’s immunization records. Students and staff who have received only one shot, instead of the two-dose vaccination now recommended, are encouraged to consult their doctors about getting a second shot.
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