The statewide mumps outbreak is over, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
The 2,954 cases in Arkansas between August 2016 and 2017 was the second largest outbreak of mumps in the country since 1986. The last case in the state was confirmed on July 13. The Department of Health considers that rate of infection as non-outbreak level.
Mumps causes swollen glands, body aches and other mild to moderate symptoms. In rare cases it causes deafness and brain inflammation, particularly in adults. Side effect of the Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine is mild rash, or in rare instances severe allergic reactions. Many parents in Arkansas chose not to vaccinate their children in fear of a severe allergic reaction or a link to other diseases such as multiple sclerosis, which have not been proven.
The MMR vaccine remains the best protection against the mumps.
In this outbreak, many of those who were vaccinated who contracted mumps only experienced mild disease, a release from the Arkansas Department of Health stated. In a typical outbreak of this size, 50-100 times more persons with complications due to mumps would be expected.
Mumps is no longer common in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
NW News on 09/09/2017