How to Protect Your Children During a Measles Outbreak
Mumps Cases Suspected In N.J., State Says, Warning Residents To Be On The Lookout For Symptoms
A suspected outbreak of mumps in "one family cluster" of eight people in Hunterdon County has the state health department on alert, warning residents to be on the lookout for symptoms.
There were three other cases in the state so far this year, the Department of Health said. It did not say where those three cases were or whether they were a cluster.
The agency said no additional information would be available because of privacy concerns, but it did say the eight new suspected cases are related to international travel.
The state said its preliminary data shows there were 16 cases of mumps in the state in 2023. It did not immediately say in what counties the cases were.
In 2022, the state had eight cases of mumps, the Health Department said. There were seven cases in 2021 and nine in 2020.
The state, calling mumps a vaccine-preventable disease, is urging families to recognize the symptoms and stay current with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination, commonly known as the MMR shot.
It said the shot is the most effective way to avoid the diseases, the agency said.
"As a physician and as a mom, I understand what it is like to try to keep your kids and your family healthy. The best way to keep you and your loved ones safe is to get the MMR shot," said Kaitlan Baston, acting commissioner of the Health Department. "These viruses are incredibly contagious, so if you suspect you may have measles, mumps, or rubella, it is important to call ahead before visiting any health care provider or facility so they can take special precautions."
Children are recommended to receive two doses of MMR, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months with a second dose at 4 to 6 years of age, it said.
"Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR shot," the Health Department said in a statement. "Individuals who have not received two MMR shots or are unaware of their history should reach out to their health care provider to check their immunity levels, especially if traveling."
It said MMR shots are also available at many pharmacies, local health departments and federally qualified health centers.
The Health Department said symptoms for mumps can start with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. Later, it appears as a swelling of the salivary glands or puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw, it said.
"Mumps can be dangerous," it said. "Swollen glands can include swelling of brain, testicles, ovaries or breast tissue. This can cause complications such as brain inflammation (encephalitis), deafness or infertility later in life."
Measles symptoms appear about one to two weeks after exposure, the Health Department said, noting it starts as a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery or red eyes.
"The measles rash starts three to five days after the other symptoms," it said. "Measles can also cause neurologic or brain complications for people later in life."
A case of measles was reported confirmed in Camden County on Jan. 13. It was the first known case in the state since March 2023.
The Health Department said symptoms for rubella are mild and are similar to measles.
"But rubella can be very dangerous for pregnant people and can cause birth defects, miscarriage, or death for babies shortly after birth," it said..
For more information, visit nj.Gov/health/vaccines/mmr.
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Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.Com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
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As New Jersey Investigates Mumps Outbreak, Experts Share What To Know About Symptoms, Protection
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The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating a suspected cluster of mumps cases in Hunterdon County among eight family members who traveled internationally, according to a recent press release.
No additional information was provided due to privacy concerns, the release indicated.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported at least 50 cases of mumps from over 20 states this year.
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Health officials say that vaccination is the most effective protection.
"The best way to keep you and your loved ones safe is to get the MMR shot," said Dr. Kaitlan Baston, the acting health commissioner, per the release.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported at least 50 cases of mumps from over 20 states this year. (iStock)
"These viruses are incredibly contagious, so if you suspect you may have measles, mumps or rubella, it is important to call ahead before visiting any health care provider or facility so they can take special precautions," she added.
What is mumps?Mumps is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
It's spread by direct contact with saliva, such as kissing or sharing water bottles with someone who has mumps.
It can also spread by respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose or throat from an infected person who is talking, coughing or sneezing, according to the CDC.
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Outbreaks often occur in settings where there is frequent close contact, such as on college campuses or in large gatherings.
"Mumps itself typically causes swelling of the glands in the head and neck that make saliva — most often the parotid glands, which are the largest salivary glands that sit just in front of the ears," Dr. Mike Smith, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital.
Symptoms of mumpsSomeone who is infected with mumps can spread the infection several days before the parotid glands start to swell and up to five days after, the CDC stated.
Some people may not develop any symptoms; but for those who become symptomatic, they generally start to feel sick anywhere from 12 to 25 days after infection.
Mumps typically causes swelling of the glands in the head and neck, said an infectious diseases expert. (iStock)
Typical symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.
Most people get better on their own within two weeks.
In rare cases, especially in adults, swelling may occur in other parts of the body.
The most common complication of mumps in males is inflammation and swelling of the testicles, or orchitis, which occurs in about a third of unvaccinated men, Smith said.
Why is mumps making a comeback?Reported cases of the mumps fell by more than 99% after the MMR vaccine was introduced in the U.S., the CDC noted.
Outbreaks and cases have been increasing since 2006, however — with most diagnoses occurring in young adults and previously vaccinated individuals, the agency adds.
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"There is no individual vaccine against mumps, but it is part of the MMR vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella," Smith said.
It is recommended that children get two doses, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months old and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age, according to the CDC's website.
Adults who are not immune are advised to get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.
Outbreaks and cases of mumps have been increasing since 2006, per the CDC. (iStock)
"Mumps immunization rates unfortunately are not where they should be," Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.
Only about 90% of children are fully vaccinated for mumps by 24 months of age, according to the CDC.
If people receive the standard recommendation of two mumps vaccinations as a child, there still is a chance that immunity will wane and they will get mumps if exposed later in life, according to Glatt.
"As such, we actually recommend that a third dose be given to people in an outbreak setting," he said.
Differences between measles and mumpsMeasles and mumps are caused by different viruses that belong to the same family of viruses called Paramyxoviridae, which are known to spread disease by respiratory droplets, according to the National Institutes of Health.
"Worldwide, both measles and mumps are very significant problems, with over 100,000 deaths due to measles in the previous year," Glatt said.
There is no individual vaccine against mumps, but it is part of the MMR vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella. (iStock)
The MMR vaccine protects against both viral infections, but measles is more contagious than mumps, with the highest mortality rate among the three infections that it protects against, Smith added.
"Measles is a far more serious illness than mumps, and is also making a resurgence in the U.S. After we thought we had eradicated it in 2002," Glatt noted.
Common complications of measles include diarrhea and ear infections, but severe cases can include brain swelling (encephalitis) and pneumonia.
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The CDC estimates that up to 90% of people who are exposed to someone with measles will get infected if they are not already immune.
Among the current measles outbreaks in the U.S., almost all cases have involved unvaccinated individuals, according to Smith.
Many young people who get infected with mumps, however, have received vaccinations.
Typical symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite. (iStock)
A 2021 CDC report that reviewed cases of mumps from 2007 to 2019 in children and adolescents found that approximately 94% of people who contracted mumps were previously vaccinated.
The two infections also have different symptoms.
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People infected with measles usually develop their first symptoms within seven to 14 days after getting exposed, while people who get mumps usually experience illness around two weeks after infection.
The most classic sign of measles is cold symptoms followed by a red rash that starts on the face and moves downward.
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With mumps, a telltale sign is puffiness of one or both cheeks, which occurs after non-specific symptoms.
Most people with mumps and measles get better within one to two weeks.
For more Health articles, visit www.Foxnews.Com/health.
MMR Vaccine For Measles, Mumps, And Rubella: What You Need To Know
The MMR vaccine is recommended for everyone who hasn't been vaccinated or had these diseases. This includes:[4]
Children: All children need two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose given at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old.
Students at post-high school educational institutions: Those who don't have presumptive evidence of immunity (see definition below) need 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
Adults: People who don't have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least 1 dose of the MMR vaccine. Some individuals should get two doses, separated by at least 28 days, if they are entering a situation where they face a heightened risk of measles or mumps transmission. This includes students at post-high school educational institutions; healthcare personnel; and international travelers.
International travelers: The CDC recommends the following vaccination schedule.
Healthcare personnel: Healthcare workers who don't have presumptive evidence of immunity should get two MMR vaccine doses, separated by at least 28 days.
Women of childbearing age: Women should check with their healthcare provider to make sure they have presumptive evidence of immunity before getting pregnant. Women of childbearing age who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity and are not pregnant should get at least 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.
Groups at increased risk of mumps during a mumps outbreak: During a mumps outbreak certain groups of individuals at increased risk of mumps transmission (perhaps because they may be living in close quarters with someone who has mumps, for instance) may need an extra MMR vaccine dose.
What Is Presumptive Evidence of Immunity? Presumptive evidence of immunity can be established in any of the following ways:[5]
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