Mumps outbreak prompts LA County public health alert

Seven men in Los Angeles County have been diagnosed with mumps, prompting public health officials to issue an alert Thursday.

The seven cases were described by health officials as two different clusters and occurred in men who have sex with men, health officials said in the alert.

It was unclear early Thursday how the cases were all related or if the men had been vaccinated, but “a lack of vaccination was very likely a contributor to these clusters,” according to a response by the public health department.

Health officials called the cluster unusual,but “we are seeing more clusters across North America during the last year,” according to a statement.

“Although mumps is no longer very common, cases continue to occur in LA County,” public health officials said in a statement. “Cases commonly occur in places where people have had prolonged, close contact with a person who has mumps, such as attending the same class, playing on the same sports team, or living in the same dormitory.”

Health care providers were urged to be aware that clusters have emerged.

Last month, five cases of mumps had been diagnosed in Chapman University students in Orange County. The cases in Los Angeles County did not involve any campuses, officials said in their response.

The county has recorded about 12 cases of mumps per year for the last seven years.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that spreads through saliva. Coughing, sneezing, or talking, and sharing cups or eating utensils can spread the disease, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms include fever, headache and fatigue. The MMR or measles-mumps-rubella vaccine prevents the disease, health officials say.

Article source: http://www.dailynews.com/health/20170309/mumps-outbreak-prompts-la-county-public-health-alert