Mumps Outbreak among private university students – La Libertad, El Salvador, March 2019.
- Respiratory Diseases
- Vaccine preventable diseases
Background
Mumps is common in childhood caused by Paramyxoviridae family virus, it is transmitted by saliva droplets or aerosols. Outbreaks in teenagers and young adults has been reported in UK, USA, Canada; with useful vaccination coverage, is frequent the most orchitis complication. Immunity declines over time. The outbreak was identified when two university students requested mumps vaccine, since other students developed the disease in their faculty. The investigation objective was to: confirm the outbreak, clinical and epidemiological characterization and to implement control measures.
Methods
Cross-sectional descriptive study. Telephone interviews collected sociodemographic, clinical, epidemiological and vaccination variables. Case definition: fever ≥38.5°C and unilateral or bilateral inflammation and sensitivity of the parotid without any other apparent cause, university community, period 3-27 March. Frequencies, proportions and rates were calculated.
Results
Eight patients with mumps were identified (1. 5%) among 537 students, no patients were reported among teachers or administrative staff. seven were male gender, all from urban areas, complete vaccination schedule reported in six; age mean: 21 years, range 18-24 years. A 3rd year student was identified as an index case. The secondary attack rate was 3.2% (5/156); two cases were not related to the rest of the patients. All patients had parotid inflammation and fever, five had myalgia or headache; four suffered from malaise, anorexia or drowsiness; less frequently: fatigue, cervical stiffness and vomiting. No complications were recorded.
Conclusion
Mumps occurs despite having a complete vaccination schedule (two doses in childhood of MMR vaccine), affecting young adults. Fever and parotid inflammation are the most consistent signs. They vaccinated 308 people, with no new cases appearing in a month of follow-up.
Mumps is common in childhood caused by Paramyxoviridae family virus, it is transmitted by saliva droplets or aerosols. Outbreaks in teenagers and young adults has been reported in UK, USA, Canada; with useful vaccination coverage, is frequent the most orchitis complication. Immunity declines over time. The outbreak was identified when two university students requested mumps vaccine, since other students developed the disease in their faculty. The investigation objective was to: confirm the outbreak, clinical and epidemiological characterization and to implement control measures.
Methods
Cross-sectional descriptive study. Telephone interviews collected sociodemographic, clinical, epidemiological and vaccination variables. Case definition: fever ≥38.5°C and unilateral or bilateral inflammation and sensitivity of the parotid without any other apparent cause, university community, period 3-27 March. Frequencies, proportions and rates were calculated.
Results
Eight patients with mumps were identified (1. 5%) among 537 students, no patients were reported among teachers or administrative staff. seven were male gender, all from urban areas, complete vaccination schedule reported in six; age mean: 21 years, range 18-24 years. A 3rd year student was identified as an index case. The secondary attack rate was 3.2% (5/156); two cases were not related to the rest of the patients. All patients had parotid inflammation and fever, five had myalgia or headache; four suffered from malaise, anorexia or drowsiness; less frequently: fatigue, cervical stiffness and vomiting. No complications were recorded.
Conclusion
Mumps occurs despite having a complete vaccination schedule (two doses in childhood of MMR vaccine), affecting young adults. Fever and parotid inflammation are the most consistent signs. They vaccinated 308 people, with no new cases appearing in a month of follow-up.