Thousands of Cheerleaders Warned They May Have Been Exposed to Mumps at Competition

Athletes who attended the Dallas, Texas National Cheerleaders Association All-Star National Championship February 23-25 may have been exposed to mumps when an infected individual, from out-of-state, traveled to and was present in the arena in which it was held.

No known cases of mumps have yet been reported, but the Texas Department of State Health Services has sent letters to the thousands of participants who attended, warning them of the possible exposure.

Last year, 5311 cases were reported in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia. This year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 states have reported mumps infections totaling 130 people from the time period January 1 to January 27, 2018.

Mumps commonly affected individuals prior to the MMR vaccine implementation in the late 1960s. At the time close to 186,000 people were affected each year.  Since vaccination, these numbers have drastically decreased, but outbreaks have sprung up sporadically.

What is “The Mumps”?

Mumps are caused by the virus, paramyxovirus, causing swelling of the parotid (salivary glands).  Other symptoms include fever, malaise, headache, body aches as with many viral illnesses. The facial swelling can occur symmetrically but in 1/4 of the cases only one side may swell.

Its spread by droplet transmission, hence being exposed to someone’s sneeze, cough, saliva and symptoms may appear within a few days to a few weeks.  The illness lasts on average 10-14 days but could last longer.

Complications of the mumps could include meningitis and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), orchitis (inflammation of the testicle), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and others leading to infertility, deafness and in rare cases death.

Prevention

Vaccination and avoiding those who are ill is paramount. Two doses are usually given of the vaccine when a child is between 12 and 15 months and then again between 4-6 years old.  A latest study from the University of Iowa finds demonstrable effectiveness with a third booster of the MMR vaccine.  The MMR vaccinates against Measles, Mumps and Rubella.  A newer vaccine, the MMVR also protects against Varicella (chicken pox).

 

Daliah Wachs, MD, FAAFP is a nationally syndicated radio personality on GCN Network and Board Certified Family Physician