Mumps infections reveal that vaccine-preventable diseases are resurfacing in the US

Mumps infections reveal that vaccine-preventable diseases are resurfacing in the US

By Tanya Lewis edited by Claire Cameron

Mumps is back. The viral respiratory infection has been detected in at least 34 people in 11 US states, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And at least one state, Maryland, has issued a warning about the disease, which has caused at least 26 reported cases in the state as of Feb. 19, CNN reported.

Mumps, which causes painful swelling of the mouth, can be prevented with two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. But childhood vaccination rates have fallen as anti-vaccine sentiment has grown in the wake of the COVID pandemic, which has led to a massive increase in measles outbreaks in the past year.

Mumps infects the salivary glands under the ears. The virus spreads via respiratory droplets and saliva through coughing, sneezing, talking or sharing eating utensils. It can take two to four weeks for people to show symptoms after being infected. Apart from jaw swelling, mumps can cause other viral symptoms, such as fever, headache and muscle aches. While children tend to have either mild disease or even no symptoms at all, mumps tends to be more severe in teenagers and adults. There is no specific treatment for mumps, but rest, hydration and pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help people recover.

On supporting science journalism

If you like this article, please consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribes. By purchasing a subscription, you help secure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas that shape our world today.

One of the most painful complications of mumps is orchitis, or swelling of the testicles, which can harm fertility. The disease can also cause oophoritis or mastitis, which respectively means inflammation of the ovaries or breasts. In rare cases, mumps can also lead to meningitis – inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord – or encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain itself. In addition, the disease can cause permanent hearing loss. Unvaccinated individuals are both more likely to be infected with mumps and more likely to have complications from the virus.

Since the first mumps vaccine came out in 1967, there has been a 99 percent drop in cases of the disease in the United States, but it still causes outbreaks, especially in places where people are in close contact, such as in schools, universities and prisons.

To protect against mumps, children are recommended to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at four to six years of age. Two doses are 86 percent effective in preventing mumps; a single dose is 72 percent effective. Vaccinated people can still get infected, especially as immunity from the shots wears off over time, but if they do, they usually have a milder infection.

It’s time to stand up for science

If you liked this article, I would like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in its two-century history.

I have been one Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I see the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does for you too.

If you subscribe to Scientific Americanyou help ensure our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten laboratories across the United States; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself is too often not recognised.

In return, you receive important news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can’t-miss newsletters, must-see videos, challenging games, and the world of science’s best writing and reporting. You can even give someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science is important. I hope you will support us in that mission.