The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Monday alerted Boston-area healthcare providers and local health boards of a mumps outbreak that has sickened 12 people since the end of March.
While the vast majority of previous mumps cases in Massachusetts have been linked to colleges and universities, the 12 new cases occurred among Latino adults aged 20 to 41 with no ties to higher education facilities. State health officials are reaching out to Latino communities in Massachusetts to increase awareness and promote immunization with the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine.
State and local health officials are also instituting isolation and quarantine measures to inhibit the spread of the virus.
"MMR vaccination is highly protective against mumps and is recommended for children and adults," said Monica Bharel, MD, the state's public health commissioner. "In addition, those who have mumps should stay isolated at home for five days after their onset of swelling. Mumps is usually a mild disease but can cause serious illness. If you think you have mumps, stay home and call your healthcare provider."
To learn more about the mumps, click here.
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