United States: Mumps outbreak continues in Hawaii /update 4

Event

A mumps outbreak in Hawaii ongoing since March 2017 - the worst to hit the state in decades - continues to spread. As of March 1, 2018, a total of 902 confirmed cases had been reported since the beginning of the outbreak. The disease has been confirmed on this islands of Oahu (719 cases) Hawaii (131), Kauai (49), and Maui (3).

Even individuals vaccinated against the disease - both children and adults - have been affected, leading health officials to recommend booster shots for certain groups: notably people born after 1956 who live, work, or attend school in crowded conditions.

Context

Mumps is an extremely contagious viral disease which is spread via airborne droplets emitted from the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite, followed by the swelling of the salivary (parotid) glands that can lead to difficulties in chewing and swallowing; the disease is asymptomatic in 20 percent of cases. Adult males without immunity are particularly susceptible to a more severe forms of mumps.

Advice

Individuals in or planning to travel to Hawaii are advised to verify that their mumps vaccination and any necessary booster shots are up to date and to take hygienic precautions.