A probable case of mumps has been diagnosed in a child in Clay County.
WOKV has confirmed the child is 4-years-old or younger and was up to date on immunizations.
The Clay County Health Department says it is not yet clear where the child was exposed to the virus, but they are investigating and monitoring for other cases. We’re told the child has recovered and been allowed to return to its daycare. The name of the daycare is not being disclosed, however the Clay County Health Department says parents there were notified about the diagnosis.
The Clay County Health Department additionally says a “sporadic” case of mumps is common in the US, and they have not been notified about any other cases since this report. This case was reported to the Clay County Health Department on May 29th.
The CDC recommends the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children are recommended to get two doses- the first between 12- and 15-months-old, and the second between 4- and 6-years-old. The CDC says having one dose reduces your risk of catching mumps by 78%, and having both doses reduces your risk by 88%.
Mumps is contagious and is spread through direct contact with saliva or what the CDC calls “respiratory droplets” from the mouth, nose, or throat. This includes coughing or sneezing, sharing cups or water bottles, participating in close contact activities like playing sports, and touching a surface that has been touched by an infected person who didn’t wash his or her hands. The Clay County Health Department says you can prevent the spread of a virus like this by washing your hands often with soap and water, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces like toys and doorknobs, covering your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and similar steps.
Symptoms of mumps could include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. It is best known for manifesting with puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw, because of swollen salivary glands. The CDC says people can have the disease with no or mild symptoms, but in rare cases, there are more severe complications, including deafness and inflammation of various organs, like the brain.