Kansas: Mumps confirmed at Barton Community College
In Great Bend, Kansas, officials at Barton Community College report the confirmation of mumps case on the Barton County campus.
The affected individual has completed all required health and safety protocols, including isolation.
The Barton County Health Department and campus officials have taken swift action to contain the spread of the virus by following the appropriate public health protocols. Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecki said close contacts of the individual have been notified and are being closely monitored for symptoms. These individuals have been advised to follow protocols and isolate if symptoms appear.
"Ensuring the health and safety of our campus is our top priority," he said. "We are working closely with public health authorities to monitor the situation and are taking all necessary precautions to prevent further spread."
After the U.S. mumps vaccination program started in 1967, there has been a more than 99% decrease in mumps cases in the United States. However, mumps outbreaks still occur, particularly in settings where people have close, prolonged contact, such as universities, schools, and correctional facilities.
As of September 12, 2024, 40 jurisdictions (states and New York City and Washington DC) reported a total of 259 mumps cases, including three cases in Kansas.
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In 2023, 436 mumps cases were reported in the US.
Mumps is a disease caused by a virus. You can catch mumps through the air from an infected person's cough or sneeze. You can also get it by direct contact with an infected surface. The virus usually makes you feel sick and causes a salivary gland between your jaw and ear to swell. Other body tissues can become infected too.
After a person is exposed to mumps, symptoms usually appear in 16 to18 days. But, it can take 12 to 25 days after exposure. The symptoms are usually: Low-grade fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff neck, fatigue, loss of appetite, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands and some people have just mild symptoms, or no symptoms.
Severe complications are rare. A small number of people may have inflammation of the brain and tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord (encephalitis/meningitis). Or, they may have inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or breasts. Deafness or spontaneous abortion may also occur.
Getting two doses of the mumps vaccine is the best protection against mumps. It's usually given as a combination vaccine called measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which protects against all three diseases. Your child’s doctor may also offer the MMRV vaccine, a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox).