Three cases of mumps are currently being investigated by the county health department in Finney County and state health officials are investigating whether additional people were exposed to mumps during wrestling meets last week.
As The Garden City Telegram reports, large outbreaks of mumps have occurred in many states this year and many individuals have been infected despite being immunized by two doses of MMR vaccine, which is 88 percent effective in preventing mumps.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, Crawford County Health Department, Thomas County Health Department and Riley County Health Department, are investigating outbreaks of mumps - 14 cases in Lawrence; eight cases in Pittsburg; three cases in Manhattan; and three cases in Colby.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, mumps is best known for the puffy cheeks and swollen jaw that it causes but it is also accompanied by some or all of the following symptoms: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and swollen or tender salivary glands under one or both ears.
Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease.
Symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12 to 25 days after infection. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks.
KDHE reminds people to take precautions by preventing spread of the mumps by avoiding kissing, hugging or other close contact with anyone suspected of having the virus.
According to the CDC, Children aged 12 months through 12 years of age may also get MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox).
