The Texas Department of State Health services is currently investigating numerous mumps outbreaks throughout the state, collectively amounting to the highest incidence of the virus in the state in 22 years.
"State, regional and local health departments are currently investigating multiple outbreaks throughout the state, including one involving possible exposures on South Padre Island, a popular spring break destination for students from Texas and elsewhere in the United States," said the health department. "DSHS alerted other states and has been notified of 13 mumps cases in people who traveled to South Padre Island between March 8 and March 22 from six states, including two cases from Texas."
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
So far in 2017, Texas health officials have documented 221 cases of the mumps, which is the largest number of mumps cases since the state experienced 234 cases in 1994.
The number of unvaccinated children in Texas has risen sharply since the state relaxed its immunization requirements, which now include personal-belief exemptions. The number of unvaccinated children in the state has since risen from 2,314 in the 2003-2004 school year to 44,716 in 2015-2016.
The mumps can cause painful, swollen salivary glands. It is a highly transmissible virus contracted through person-to-person contact. Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine are 88 percent effective at preventing mumps, according to the CDC.
More articles on infection control:
C. diff carriers who show no symptoms can up infection risk in other hospitalized patients
Experts: US needs more comprehensive MRSA tracking system
Penn State mumps outbreak approaches 70 cases