DPH Investigating Mumps Outbreak Among School-Age Children in New Castle County

DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is investigating an outbreak of mumps cases among school-age children in New Castle County. As of March 3, 2020, DPH had identified nine cases of mumps as part of this outbreak, including seven confirmed cases and two probable cases. The confirmed cases involve five individuals at William Penn High School, one individual at George Read Middle School, both within the Colonial School District; and one individual at St. Georges Technical High School within the New Castle County Vo-Tech School District. No additional information about those individuals will be provided to protect personal health information.

DPH has been coordinating closely with the impacted schools and school districts since cases were first identified to provide guidance for limiting the spread of illness and to identify any other potential cases. The schools notified their communities of the positive cases and potential exposure to mumps, and provided recommended guidance to families.

DPH advises any student or any member of the household who has symptoms or develops symptoms should be kept at home. In addition, it is recommended that parents of children who may have been exposed to mumps contact their child’s primary care provider. Children with suspected or confirmed mumps should stay home for five days after the onset of parotitis (gland swelling), or as directed by their primary care provider.

Mumps is an acute viral infection spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, or talking, sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, with others, and touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that a substantial increase in the number of mumps outbreaks and outbreak-associated cases have occurred in the United States since late 2015.

The symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, body aches, loss of appetite and swelling of parotid salivary gland(s) — glands on the insides of the cheeks, floor of the mouth, and under the tongue. Mumps symptoms could develop from 12 days to 25 days after exposure. As an ongoing preventive measure, it is recommended that individuals follow good hand washing practices. Parents are encouraged to review the immunization records for their children and make sure they are up to date on recommended vaccines, including the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, and to contact their child’s primary care provider with any questions.

Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks. However, mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults. Complications can include:

  • inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males who have reached puberty; rarely does this lead to fertility problems
  • inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
  • inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
  • inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breast tissue (mastitis)
  • deafness

The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Teens and adults who did not get the recommended MMR vaccines per the above schedule should be vaccinated so they are up to date.

It is possible for someone to get the mumps even after they have been vaccinated, however, that is not to say the mumps vaccine is ineffective. MMR vaccine is safe and effective. A person with two doses of MMR vaccine has about an 88% reduction in risk for mumps; a person with one dose has a 78% reduction in risk for mumps. In addition, disease symptoms are milder and complications are less frequent in vaccinated people. Also, high vaccination coverage helps to limit the size, duration, and spread of mumps outbreaks, therefore it is still very important to be up to date on MMR vaccine.

Individuals with questions should contact their primary care provider or the Division of Public Health at 1-888-295-5156 or visit https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html.

Mumps is a reportable disease in Delaware. Health care providers should promptly report suspected cases of mumps, and confirmed cases, to the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE) at 302-744-4990 (normal business hours) or 1-888-295-5156 (outside of normal business hours), fax to 302-223-1540, or email reportdisease@delaware.gov. Providers are asked not to wait for laboratory test results to return before reporting.

###​

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.


Four More Mumps Cases Identified, Bringing Total to 19

DOVER — The Division of Public Health (DPH) has identified four more cases of the mumps in Delaware as part of its ongoing investigation of an outbreak among attendees at two multi-cultural dances in New Castle County, bringing the total number of mumps cases in 2018 to 19. At least 11 of the 19 persons with mumps attended either the Feb. 10, or March 3, 2018, social dance (Baile Mexicano) that took place at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. All 19 individuals reside in New Castle County. The age ranges of adults with the mumps virus are 21 to 57 years old. Additionally, there was one child under the age of 5 infected.

This is the first time that more than three mumps cases have been recorded during any calendar year since at least 2005. DPH recommends that anyone who attended either the Feb. 10 or March 3, 2018, dances contact their primary care physician to determine if they may have contracted mumps and if they and their family or close contacts need to receive vaccination against mumps.

“It’s extremely important to do everything you can do to protect yourself and your family from diseases like the mumps,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “The best protection against mumps is to make sure you and everyone in your home is up to date on their mumps vaccinations. Since everyone needs at least two vaccinations, and sometimes even three, knowing your vaccine schedule is vital.”

Patients who attended one of the above dances or who live with someone who attended one of the events who subsequently developed mumps, and who do not have health insurance or whose insurance does not cover the mumps/measles/rubella vaccine (MMR), should call one of the following DPH clinics: In New Castle County, call the Hudson State Service Center Immunization Clinic at 302-283-7587, (and select option #2) for an appointment to get an MMR vaccine; patients who live in Kent County and need vaccination may call DPH’s Kent County Immunization Clinic at 302-857-5140, and those in Sussex County may call DPH’s Georgetown Immunization Clinic at 302-515-3220.

Mumps is an acute viral infection spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, or talking, sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, with others, and touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that a substantial increase in the number of mumps outbreaks and outbreak-associated cases have occurred in the United States since late 2015.

Symptoms typically start with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, followed by swollen salivary glands, which results in puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw. Symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after infection, but can range from 12 to 25 days after infection. Some people with mumps may not have any symptoms. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks. However, mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults.

People known or suspected to have mumps should stay away from school or work until five days after the onset of swollen salivary glands, as there is no specific treatment for mumps.

The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Teens and adults who did not get the recommended MMR vaccines per the above schedule should be vaccinated so they are up to date. During outbreaks, the CDC also recommends that those at highest risk due to exposure to people with mumps should receive a third dose of MMR.

Mumps is a reportable disease in Delaware. Suspected cases of mumps should be reported to DPH via fax at 302-223-1540; email at reportdisease@delaware.gov; or phone, 302-744-4990. Providers are asked not to wait for laboratory test results to return before reporting.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.


Los Casos de Paperas Aumentan a Once; Posible Vínculo con un Segundo Evento de Baile Mexicano en el Chase Center, Wilmington

DOVER – La División de Salud Pública de Delaware (DPH, por sus siglas en inglés) ha confirmado once casos de paperas asociados a un brote entre las personas que asistieron a dos diferentes bailes mexicanos en el condado de New Castle. Siete de los casos confirmados asistieron, o viven con personas que asistieron, al evento el 10 de febrero del 2018. El octavo caso trabajó en un segundo baile que se llevó a cabo el 3 de marzo del 2018 en el mismo complejo. DPH continúa investigando la fuente de exposición al virus de tres personas adicional. 

El DPH está recomendando que las personas que hayan asistido a los bailes del 10 de febrero o el 3 de marzo del 2018 se comuniquen con su médico de atención primaria para determinar si contrajeron las paperas o si ellos y sus familiares o contactos cercanos deben vacunarse contra las paperas.

“Con un caso confirmado de paperas asociado a un segundo baile social más reciente en un corto periodo de tiempo, estamos intensificando nuestro alcance a las personas, con o sin síntomas, y aquellos que viven con personas con diagnostico confirmado de paperas, contactar a su proveedor de atención primaria lo antes posible para ser evaluado de paperas y recibir la vacunación según lo recomendado,” dijo la Dra. Awele Maduka-Ezeh, directora médica del DPH.

Las paperas son una infección viral aguda que se disemina a través de la saliva o la mucosidad de la boca, nariz o garganta. Una persona infectada puede contagiar el virus al toser, estornudar o hablar, compartir elementos, como tazas o utensilios para comer, con otras personas y tocar objetos o superficies con las manos sucias que luego son tocadas por otras personas. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) señalan que se ha producido un aumento sustancial en el número de brotes de paperas y casos asociados a brotes en los Estados Unidos desde finales de 2015.

Los síntomas generalmente comienzan con unos días de fiebre, dolor de cabeza, dolores musculares, cansancio y pérdida de apetito, seguidos por inflamación en las glándulas salivales, lo que causa hinchazón en las mejillas y la mandíbula. Los síntomas generalmente aparecen de 16 a 18 días después de la infección, pero pueden variar de 12 a 25 días. Algunas personas con paperas pueden no presentar ningún síntoma.

Aquellas personas que asistieron al evento mexicano, o que viven con alguien que asistió y posteriormente desarrolló paperas, y que no tienen seguro de salud o cuyo seguro no cubre la vacuna contra paperas / sarampión / rubéola (MMR por sus siglas en inglés), deben llamar a una de las siguientes clínicas de la DPH solicitando la vacuna de MMR: en el Condado de New Castle, llame a la Clínica de Inmunización del Hudson State Service Center al 302-283-7587 (seleccione la opción #2); las personas que viven en el condado de Kent, llamar a la Clínica de Inmunización en Dover al 302-857-5140 y aquellos en el Condado de Sussex llamar a la Clínica de Inmunización en Georgetown al 302-515-3220.

Las personas que saben o sospechan que tienen paperas deben permanecer fuera de la escuela o del trabajo hasta cinco días después de la aparición de la inflamación en las glándulas salivares, ya que no existe un tratamiento específico para las paperas.

Algunas personas que contraen paperas tienen síntomas muy leves o no tienen síntomas, y con frecuencia no saben que tienen la enfermedad. La mayoría de las personas con paperas se recuperan por completo en unas pocas semanas. Sin embargo, las paperas ocasionalmente pueden causar complicaciones, especialmente en adultos. Las complicaciones incluyen:
• Inflamación de los testículos (orquitis) en hombres que han alcanzado la pubertad; raramente esto conduce a problemas de fertilidad
• Inflamación del cerebro (encefalitis)
• Inflamación del tejido que cubre el cerebro y la médula espinal (meningitis)
• Inflamación de los ovarios (ofaritis) y / o tejido mamario (mastitis)
• Sordera

Los CDC recomiendan que los niños reciban dos dosis de la vacuna MMR, comenzando con la primera entre los 12 a 15 meses de edad y la segunda entre los 4 a 6 años. Los adolescentes y adultos que no recibieron ambas dosis de la vacuna MMR deben vacunarse para que estén actualizadas. Durante los brotes, los CDC también recomiendan que aquellos con alto riesgo de haber estado expuestos a personas con paperas reciban una tercera dosis de MMR.

Las paperas son una enfermedad notificable en Delaware. Los casos sospechosos de paperas deben ser notificados a la DPH por fax al 302-223-1540; correo electrónico a reportdisease@delaware.gov; o teléfono, 302-744-4990. Se les pide a los proveedores que no esperen los resultados de las pruebas de laboratorio para notificar a la DPH.

English version: https://news.delaware.gov/2018/03/28/mumps-cases-now-nine/ 

Una persona sorda, con problemas de audición, o incapacitada del habla puede llamar al número de teléfono de la DPH mencionado arriba usando los servicios TTY. Marque 7-1-1 o 800-232-5460 para escribir su conversación a un operador de retransmisión, que lee su conversación a una persona que la escucha en la DPH. El operador de retransmisión teclea las palabras habladas de la persona que


Mumps Cases Increase to 11; Possible Link to Second Mexican Dance Event at Chase Center

DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is now confirming 11 cases of the mumps as part of its ongoing investigation of an outbreak among attendees at a February dance festival in New Castle County. Seven of the 11 confirmed cases either attended, or lived with persons who attended, a social dance (Baile Mejicano or Mexican Dance) that took place at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington on Feb.10, 2018. An eighth person was working at another Baile Mejicano dance, held at the same location, which occurred on March 3, 2018. DPH is still investigating the source of three people’s exposure to the mumps virus.

DPH is now recommending that anyone who attended either the Feb. 10 or March 3, 2018, dances contact their primary care physician to determine if they may have contracted mumps and if they and their family or close contacts need to receive vaccination against mumps.

“With a confirmed case of mumps showing up in someone involved in a second – more recent – social dance in such a short period of time, we are stepping up our outreach to attendees, whether or not they developed symptoms, and those living with persons who are confirmed to have mumps, to contact their primary care provider as soon as possible for evaluation for mumps and vaccination where recommended,” said DPH Medical Director Dr. Awele Maduka-Ezeh.

Mumps is an acute viral infection spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, or talking, sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, with others, and touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that a substantial increase in the number of mumps outbreaks and outbreak-associated cases have occurred in the United States since late 2015.

Symptoms typically start with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, followed by swollen salivary glands, which results in puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw. Symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after infection, but can range from 12 to 25 days after infection. Some people with mumps may not have any symptoms.

Those patients who attended the Baile Mejicano event, or who live with someone who attended and subsequently developed mumps, and who do not have health insurance or whose insurance does not cover the mumps/measles/rubella vaccine (MMR), should call one of the following DPH clinics: In New Castle County, call the Hudson State Service Center Immunization Clinic at 302-283-7587, (and select option #2) for an appointment to get an MMR vaccine; patients who live in Kent County and need vaccination may call DPH’s Kent County Immunization Clinic at 302-857-5140, and those in Sussex County may call DPH’s Georgetown Immunization Clinic at 302-515-3220.

People known or suspected to have mumps should stay away from school or work until five days after the onset of swollen salivary glands, as there is no specific treatment for mumps.

Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks. However, mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults. Complications include:

  • inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males who have reached puberty; rarely does this lead to fertility problems
  • inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
  • inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
  • inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breast tissue (mastitis)
  • deafness

The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Teens and adults who did not get the recommended MMR vaccines per the above schedule should be vaccinated so they are up to date. During outbreaks, CDC also recommends that those at highest risk due to exposure to people with mumps, should receive a third dose of MMR.

Mumps is a reportable disease in Delaware. Suspected cases of mumps should be reported to DPH via fax at 302-223-1540; email at reportdisease@delaware.gov; or phone, 302-744-4990. Providers are asked not to wait for laboratory test results to return before reporting.

Espanol: https://news.delaware.gov/2018/03/29/los-casos-de-paperas-aumentan-posible-vinculo-con-un-segundo-evento-de-baile-mexicano-en-el-chase-center-wilmington/

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.


DPH Investigating Mumps Outbreak After February Baile Mejicano Dance at Chase Center on the Riverfront

DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is investigating a mumps outbreak among attendees of a February Hispanic dance festival in New Castle County. Officials have confirmed three cases of the mumps, all involving attendees of a social dance (Baile Mejicano or Mexican Dance) that took place at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington on Feb.10, 2018. DPH is recommending that anyone who attended the dance, contact their primary care physician to determine if they may have contracted mumps and if they and their family or close contacts need to receive vaccination against mumps.

Mumps is an acute viral infection spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, or talking, sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, with others, and touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that a substantial increase in the number of mumps outbreaks and outbreak-associated cases have occurred in the United States since late 2015.

Symptoms typically start with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, followed by swollen salivary glands, which results in puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw. Symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after infection, but can range from 12 to 25 days after infection. Some people with mumps may not have any symptoms.

“We can prevent further spread of the disease through vaccination and are urgently asking anyone who attended the dance, whether or not they developed symptoms, and those living with persons who are confirmed to have mumps, to contact their primary care provider as soon as possible for evaluation for mumps and vaccination where recommended,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. DPH issued a Health Advisory to the medical community on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, to notify providers about the outbreak and provide guidance on reporting suspected cases and vaccination.

Those patients who attended the Baile Mejicano event, or who live with someone who attended and subsequently developed mumps, and who do not have health insurance or whose insurance does not cover the mumps/measles/rubella vaccine (MMR), should call one of the following DPH clinics: In New Castle County, call the Hudson State Service Center Immunization Clinic at 302-283-7587, (and select option #2) for an appointment to get an MMR vaccine; patients who live in Kent County and need vaccination may call DPH’s Kent County Immunization Clinic at 302-857-5140, and those in Sussex County may call DPH’s Georgetown Immunization Clinic at 302-515-3220.

People known or suspected to have mumps should stay away from school or work until five days after the onset of swollen salivary glands, as there is no specific treatment for mumps.
Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks. However, Mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults. Complications include:

•  inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males who have reached puberty; rarely does this lead to fertility problems
•  inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
•  inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
•  inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) and/or breast tissue (mastitis)
•  deafness

The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Teens and adults who did not get the recommended MMR vaccines per the above schedule should be vaccinated so they are up to date. During outbreaks, CDC also recommends that those at highest risk due to exposure to people with mumps, should receive a third dose of MMR.

Mumps is a reportable disease in Delaware. Suspected cases of mumps should be reported to DPH via fax at 302-223-1540; email at reportdisease@delaware.gov; or phone, 302-744-4990. Providers are asked not to wait for laboratory test results to return before reporting. For more information about mumps, visit: http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/files/mumpsfaq.pdf.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.