by Victoria Radke (Traveler Staff Reporter)
Arkansas Department of Health officials identified three cases of mumps at the UofA in the last few weeks, according to a press release from the ADH.
The ADH officials will work with UA officials to alert students and staff who may have been in contact with the virus. Officials encourage people who have been in close contact with infected people or the virus to make sure they are up to date on their Measles Mumps Rubella vaccinations, according to the press release.
MMR vaccines are available at the UA Pat Walker Health Center, the Washington County Local Health Unit, doctor’s offices and local pharmacies.
In 2016 there were 6,369 reported cases of mumps nationwide and in 2017 there were 6,109 reported cases of mumps nationwide, according to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A number of reported cases were associated with college settings and mostly affected young adults, according to the CDC.
Arkansas had the second-largest mumps outbreak in the U.S. in the past 30 years from August 2016 – August 2017, with nearly 3,000 reported cases, according to the press release.
Across the U.S., the CDC received 58 reports of mumps between Jan. 1-31, 2019, according to preliminary CDC reports.
Mumps is a viral illness transmitted by respiratory droplets and saliva, according to the CDC. Symptoms include swollen cheeks or jaw, fever, headache, muscles aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. There are no treatments, but symptoms usually subside within weeks.
For more information, contact the Pat Walker Health Center at 479-575-4451 or visit health.uark.edu.