Although outbreaks are still fairly common in the US, this
is the state’s largest outbreak of mumps in 20 years. Unfortunately, state data only goes back about
20 years, so officials are unable to compare it to historical outbreaks farther
than 20 years back. The outbreak seems to have been caused by cases in Iowa
during the past year, and was brought to Arkansas by a single family who
quickly spread it to fellow church members.
Although the virus exists for only several seconds outside a host,
school districts are taking extra precautions to clean surfaces in schools and
on public transportation.
Officials say the community is lucky that a vaccine
exists. The mumps if they have received the vaccine twice. For those among the
population who were vaccinated but did not develop strong immunity, officials
state that they often experience diminished symptoms but are still contagious
to others, especially individuals who were never vaccinated. In response to the
epidemic, many members of the Arkansas community have received a third
vaccination, in order to boost their immune response to the virion. Officials
state that although the outbreak seems large in comparison to recent years, it
could have been much worse without the extensive public health measures that
have been taken.
See these websites for more information:
Elisa
Hofmeister
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