Wednesday, May 12, 2010
9 cases of mumps reported in LA County
Nine mumps cases have been reported in Los Angeles County so far this year, an unusually high number since the childhood disease is easily prevented through vaccination, public health experts said today.
The outbreak may be related to a multi-state mumps outbreak affecting the Hasidic Jewish population on the East Coast, where clusters of mumps are being observed in community centers, schools and colleges, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles County's director of public health.
The region's nine mumps cases in the first five months of 2009 compare to seven in all of 2009, Fielding said. There were seven cases in all of 2008, and five in 2007, he said.
Mumps is a vaccine-preventable viral illness transmitted by coughing and sneezing. The first symptoms show up 12 to 25 days after exposure, and include swelling of the salivary glands, fever, and inflammation of the male sexual organs.
Up to 20 percent of people infected by mumps will display no symptoms at all, but in severe cases, it can lead to meningitis or encephalitis.
Mumps can be prevented by childhood vaccinations of the measles-mumps- rubella vaccine. The percentage of American children given that vaccine has decreased amidst fears that the vaccine is not safe, despite recent studies providing evidence to the contrary.
Twenty percent of the 2-year-olds in Los Angeles County have not been vaccinated against serious diseases, according to county health officials, who declared it "Toddler Immunization Month."
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_15071479?nclick_check=1
The outbreak may be related to a multi-state mumps outbreak affecting the Hasidic Jewish population on the East Coast, where clusters of mumps are being observed in community centers, schools and colleges, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles County's director of public health.
The region's nine mumps cases in the first five months of 2009 compare to seven in all of 2009, Fielding said. There were seven cases in all of 2008, and five in 2007, he said.
Mumps is a vaccine-preventable viral illness transmitted by coughing and sneezing. The first symptoms show up 12 to 25 days after exposure, and include swelling of the salivary glands, fever, and inflammation of the male sexual organs.
Up to 20 percent of people infected by mumps will display no symptoms at all, but in severe cases, it can lead to meningitis or encephalitis.
Mumps can be prevented by childhood vaccinations of the measles-mumps- rubella vaccine. The percentage of American children given that vaccine has decreased amidst fears that the vaccine is not safe, despite recent studies providing evidence to the contrary.
Twenty percent of the 2-year-olds in Los Angeles County have not been vaccinated against serious diseases, according to county health officials, who declared it "Toddler Immunization Month."
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_15071479?nclick_check=1
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