List of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Oakland County Confirms First Cases Of Mumps Since 2022
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A vial of a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine sits on a countertop at a pediatrics clinic.
The Oakland County Health Department said it has confirmed a case of mumps in the county, the first since 2022.
According to the health department, there have now been nine cases of mumps in Michigan in 2025.
They say there were no close contacts or exposures in this case of an adult resident.
It comes just weeks after the county confirmed its first measles case of the year, and they are urging residents to get their vaccines.
Watch below: Measles case confirmed in Oakland County
Measles case confirmed in Oakland County, health officials warn of 2 exposure sites
"The MMR vaccine remains our best defense against measles, mumps and rubella, offering highly effective protection against these serious diseases and helping to prevent outbreaks," Oakland County Health Officer Kate Guzmán said in a statement.
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that affects the salivary glands. It spreads through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose or throat. Symptoms of mumps typically appear 16 to 18 days after exposure may include:
Officials say most people recover within two weeks, however, serious complications can occur. There is also no treatment and only symptom management.The MMR vaccine is available through Oakland County Health Division offices, health care providers and pharmacies. Health Division offices are located at:
Clinic hours are:
Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Mumps: Factsheet On Nursing Childhood Infectious Diseases
Part of a collection on childhood infections, this factsheet helps nurses identify and manage mumps
Citation: Agnew T (2025) Childhood infectious diseases: Mumps, Nursing Times [online]; 121: 4.
Author: Thelma Agnew is a freelance health journalist.
IntroductionMumps is an infectious viral disease often characterised by swelling of the parotid glands (saliva-producing glands) on either side of the face. Serious complications are rare in children, and infection usually resolves within two weeks.
Before the introduction of the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1988, mumps was common in school-age children, with more than eight out of ten UK adults showing evidence of previous infection. Today, mumps is most common among adults born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, who did not receive the MMR vaccine.
CausesMumps is caused by a paramyxovirus, a type of virus that is a common source of infections, particularly in children. After entering the respiratory tract, the virus moves into the saliva-producing glands on either side of the face, causing the glands to swell.
The mumps virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets of contaminated saliva into the air or onto surfaces.
Mumps is most infectious from around 1-2 days before symptoms appear, and for up to nine days afterwards.
DiagnosisThe most obvious symptom of mumps is swelling of the saliva-producing glands (parotitis), on both sides of the face, below the ears. The glands may be tender to touch, and the child may also experience earache and have difficulty chewing or pronouncing words. Parotitis is present in 95% of cases where there are symptoms.
Other features consistent with mumps include low-grade fever, headache, earache, malaise, muscle aches and loss of appetite. Symptoms that are typical usually occur just before signs of swelling in the glands and peak around the time the glands are most swollen.
Consider the age of the child and their immunisation history: mumps is unlikely in babies under one year, and in people who have had the MMR or a previous infection.
Ask if the child has been in contact with anyone in the previous four weeks who might have had mumps.
Consider whether something else could be the cause of the swollen glands. Other diagnoses include the viral infections Epstein-Barr virus and slapped cheek syndrome (parvovirus B19).
If you suspect mumps, which is a notifiable disease, contact the local Health Protection Team
PreventionThe NHS advises protecting children against mumps with the MMR vaccine, which is part of the routine childhood immunisations schedule. People who have mumps can help prevent it from spreading by regularly washing their hands, using tissues when they sneeze and disposing of them immediately. They should stay off school or work for at least five days after symptoms develop.
Treatment/managementAdvise parents or carers that mumps usually resolves over one or two weeks, with no long-term ill effects. Antibiotics are not required.
The child should rest, drink adequate fluids, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen usually from three months old. However, parents should be advised to always administer as per the guidance on the prescription/packaging and to seek advice from a health professional if the child is taking other medications or has a pre-existing health condition. Discomfort or pain in the swollen glands may be eased by applying a warm or cool compress.
Admit to hospital or refer for specialist advice if there are signs of encephalitis, meningitis or epididymo-orchitis (see complications).
ComplicationsSerious complications are rare and usually improve as the infection clears.
Up to one in three males who have been through puberty will experience pain and swelling of the testicles (orchitis). Swelling usually affects one testicle and occurs 4-8 days after parotitis. Infertility is very rare.
About one in 15 females who develop mumps after puberty will experience swelling of the ovaries (oophoritis), which can cause lower abdominal pain and vomiting.
Viral meningitis occurs in up to one in four cases of mumps. Unlike bacterial meningitis, which is considered a medical emergency, viral meningitis causes milder, flu-like symptoms. Other common symptoms of viral meningitis include headache, vomiting and neck stiffness. People with suspected meningitis will usually be tested in hospital to confirm whether it is a viral or bacterial infection.
Mumps can cause temporary hearing loss, although permanent loss of hearing is rare.
Short-term inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which commonly presents as a sudden pain in the centre of the belly and feeling or being sick, is reported in around one in 25 cases of mumps.
Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) affects around one in 1,000 people with mumps and requires urgent hospital admission. Initial flu-like symptoms and headache are followed by more serious indications that emerge over hours, days or even weeks, including confusion, seizures, difficulty talking and loss of consciousness.
Clinical features/symptomsSymptoms usually develop 12-25 days after becoming infected. The most distinctive feature is the swelling of the parotid glands at the side of the face, which gives a 'hamster' appearance.
Other common symptoms include:
Mumps infection may show no symptoms in 15-20% of infected people; asymptomatic infection is commonin children.
Complete series: factsheets on nursing childhood infectious disease
Bucks County Health Officials Report New Measles Case, Warn Local Residents Of Possible Exposure
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Health officials in Bucks County are reporting a new case of measles in a resident and are warning other people they may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus last week.
An adult resident tested positive for measles after recently traveling to Texas, according to the county health department, and visited several locations back in Pennsylvania while potentially contagious.
Officials said anyone who visited the Starbucks at 2896 S. Eagle Rd. In Newtown on March 19 between 10:50 a.M. And 12:30 p.M. Could have been exposed. They should monitor for early symptoms, including cough, runny nose, red eyes, headache, sneezing and a red skin rash, said county experts.
The health department has completed contact tracing at all other locations where this adult traveled upon returning to Pennsylvania. Officials said Thursday that anyone potentially exposed "will be notified."
People infected with measles, which spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or through respiratory droplets in the air, could start experiencing symptoms within 10 to 14 days after exposure, according to the health department.
Anyone who begins to experience symptoms or feel ill should immediately contact their health providers.
Risk of infection or severe illness remains low among people who received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for children as young as 12 months old.
The Bucks County adult who tested positive was vaccinated, officials said, but experienced mild symptoms.
"Two doses of the vaccine will be 97% effective in preventing all illness," Health Department Director Dr. David Damsker said in a statement. "However, even though a vaccinated person can still get measles, they are more likely to experience a mild illness and are thus less likely to spread it."
Earlier this month, health officials in Montgomery County announced they were investigating a case of measles in a local unvaccinated child. Less than two weeks later, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported its first case of measles this year in a city resident who had recently traveled abroad.
The local infections come amid a nationwide rise in total measles cases and larger outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.
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