(COLUMBIA, MO)

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) has identified a number of recent cases of mumps in Boone County. Health officials are working closely with the cases and community healthcare providers to identify those who may have come in contact with confirmed cases.

Mumps is a viral illness that can cause fever, body aches, headaches, fatigue, swelling of the salivary glands, or pain with chewing and swallowing. About a third of people who contract the mumps virus do not develop any symptoms. Mumps is transmitted through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat. An infected person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, talking, kissing, or sharing cups, forks, knives, spoons, cigarettes, e-cigarettes and drinks. Some people who get mumps have very mild cold-like symptoms, or no symptoms at all and may not know they have the disease.

People with mumps can spread it for two to three days before they know they are sick, and an additional five days after the swelling in their cheek or jaw area begins. Individuals are most contagious two days before the onset of symptoms and five days after and should remain at home during this time.

Anyone with symptoms should call their healthcare provider. Having two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is the best way to protect against mumps. To check your immunization status or to get vaccinated, please contact your healthcare provider.

For more information about mumps, visit www.cdc.gov/mumps