Cheerleaders from 39 states potentially exposed to mumps

Cydney Henderson | The Republic | azcentral.com

Thousands of cheerleaders have been notified about a possible mumps outbreak at a championship competition in Texas last month.

Officials at the Texas Department of State Health Services announced in a letter to parents and participants last week that they may have been exposed to mumps.

“We are sending this letter to make you aware of this exposure and to provide additional information about mumps,” the letter read.

What happened?

The potential exposure occurred at the National Cheerleaders Association All-Star National Championship in Dallas from Feb 23 to Feb 25, health officials said.

More than 23,000 cheerleaders and 2,600 coaches attended the competition, hailing from 39 states and nine countries, the NCA said.

There are no reported cases of the mumps from the competition, and it's unclear what exactly caused officials to send the letter.

23,655 athletes

2,600 coaches

1320 teams

39 states

9 countries

1 competition



NCA All-Star Nationals 2018 #theworkisworthithttps://t.co/FfCLWtfKUP — NCA Updates (@NCAupdates) February 28, 2018

March is National Cheerleading Safety Month.

What is mumps?

Mumps is a viral disease that leads to swollen salivary glands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The highly contagious disease is spread through saliva or mucus from an infected person, including coughing, sneezing or even talking.

People can also transmit the disease by sharing items with others, like straws and cups, or by touching an object with unwashed hands.

Symptoms

Mumps usually starts with symptoms that include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite, the CDC says.

The disease then leads to puffy cheeks and swollen jaws, due to swollen salivary glands.

Signs typically appear 16 to 18 days after exposure, meaning anyone who was infected with mumps at the NCA competition could develop symptoms up until March 22, the CDC said.

Vaccination, treatment

Children usually receive two doses of the mumps, measles, and rubella vaccine (MMR) by the age of 6. The vaccine is up to 88 percent effective, according to the CDC.

Vaccinated people, however, can still be infected with the mumps, especially in close-contact or crowded environments.

[Notice]: People who were at the @NCAupdates All-Star National Championship last month in @CityofFortWorth may have come into contact with someone contagious with mumps. Be alert for symptoms through March 22. Read more: https://t.co/BimkpL5rGp. pic.twitter.com/MCrFkADj5v — Texas DSHS (@TexasDSHS) March 7, 2018

"Anyone diagnosed with or suspected of having mumps should stay home five days after swollen glands appear," Texas Department of State Health Services said in a letter.

Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks.

More: Arizona Wildcats basketball cheerleader ejected from Arizona State game

More: Number of Arizona flu reports steadily dropping after difficult season

More: Missing CDC scientist allegedly told neighbor to delete his phone number a day before disappearance