Wednesday, April 20, 2006                                          For More Information:

                                                                                    Rep. Reichert, 515-281-3221

 

 

MUMPS Epidemic IDPH Press Release

 

The Iowa Department of Public Heath has issued a public health request today involving Muscatine.

As we all know Iowa is presently in the midst of a MUMPS outbreak and public officials have been working to contain the spread of the disease. Muscatine is one of the 35 targeted counties across the state that the IDPH has asked to have vaccinations administered. The request asks that all 18-22 year olds in Muscatine County get re-vaccinated for the Mumps. Please Read the full request below.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact my office or other public health officials directly.

Thank you,

Nathan Reichert
State Representative Muscatine

IDPH Press Release -- 4/20/2006
Iowa Young Adults Urged to Get Mumps Vaccination

Campaign seeks to reduce mumps spread

With the highest number of Iowa mumps cases occurring in the young adult (18 through 22 years old) population, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and its local public health partners, have announced a statewide campaign to vaccinate those at high risk of mumps. Iowa has seen 975 cases of the illness this year.

Two doses of the mumps vaccine is the cornerstone of mumps prevention. Since some of the cases in Iowa have occurred in people who haven't been vaccinated against mumps, or who have only received one dose, this campaign will focus on getting those groups the mumps vaccine. The focus is on the 35 counties that have college or university facilities, but will include non-students in the targeted age group as well. This campaign needs to be accomplished by the end of this month, before students return home for the summer. Parents can also help by encouraging their children in the targeted age group to get vaccinated.

Specific dates of clinics in individual counties will be announced by the local public health agencies involved.

Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands spread through coughing, sneezing and saliva. It can spread by sharing drinking glasses, kissing, sneezing and coughing. Symptoms including swelling of the glands close to the jaw, fever, headache and muscle ache.

For most, mumps is a mild to moderate disease. There is a risk of severe complications, so the mumps outbreak needs to be addressed. The mumps vaccine, part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot, is 90 to 95 percent effective in protecting against mumps, if the person receives two doses.

All Iowans must also help reduce the spread of mumps and other diseases by practicing good hygiene, such as covering their coughs and sneezes, washing their hands, and staying home when sick.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and our local public health partners for several weeks on strategies in dealing with the mumps cases.

More information about mumps is available on the Iowa Department of Public Health website, www.idph.state.ia.us.

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