So far apparently this started in British Columbia, Canada during the spring of 2011 in Whistler, BC. But now its spreading across the United States.
Mumps cases in those previously vaccinated for mumps.
Here's where it begins....
June 9, 2011
After alerting the Whistler community in late winter and early spring about the potential for a mumps outbreak, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is
reaching out once more to encourage people to get immunized against the virus.
This comes following news that there have been around 50 cases of people contracting mumps in the resort since the late winter.
“We’re still getting cases of mumps in Whistler and the majority are in the 20- to 30-year-old age group,” said VCH’s Paul Martiquet.
According to Martiquet, around 500 people were immunized against the virus when VCH began their campaign against mumps earlier this year, but as the
numbers of those infected continue to rise, Martiquet thinks that the changing of the season may be to blame.
-snip-
“Mumps is spread through respiratory, so coughing, and by saliva,” explained Martiquet. “So what that means is if people are sharing their
utensils during a meal that would be a route of transmission, if people are sharing beverages such as drinks, water bottles, sharing a cigarette or a
joint, all of these are possible modes of transmissions for spreading the virus.”
On top of those methods, Martiquet also noted that people kissing is also one of the key ways that mumps is spread.
-snip-
“We’re asking them to basically have a second dose of the mumps vaccine if they can’t remember if they’ve had a second dose,” said
Martiquet. “If you’re not sure that you’ve had two doses come in and get a vaccination, it’s free.”
Martiquet said that pretty much everybody is eligible to receive the vaccine, regardless of whether they’re from the area or outside Canada.
from Mumps cases in
Whistler on the Rise: Whistler Question, BC
Other articles on Mumps in Whistler
March 10, 2011:
Mumps Warning
Issued for Whistler, British Columbia
April 14, 2011:
Mumps Outbreak in Whistler BC: News
1130
From Whistler, Bristish Columbia- this strain of mumps spread to the rest of BC.
June 21, 2011:
Centre Warns of Metro Vancouver Mumps Outbreak
June 21, 2011:
Mumps Outbreak Hits Lower Mainland,
BC
SPREAD OF MUMPS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA INTO ONTARIO
July 23, 2011
Four employees at the restaurant have been diagnosed with the mumps - a rare occurrence since the city usually only has about 15 cases per year.
from Mumps Outbreak at Toronto Restaurant
Other articles on Mumps in Ontario, Canada
July 26, 2011:
9 Mumps Cases in Toronto
August 18, 2011:
Haliburton, Ontario Mumps Outbreak
SPREAD OF MUMPS FROM ONTARIO INTO OTTAWA: Warning
No cases as of September 2011, but warnings issued anyway.
September 28, 2011:
Ottawa Public Health Warns
of Provincial Mumps Outbreak
SPREAD OF MUMPS FROM CANADA INTO UNITED KINGDOM
August 16, 2011
With four cases of mumps discovered among Londoners, the Middlesex-London Health Unit is urging returning university and college-age students to get a
vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella.
“It’s not an epidemic,” said Marlene Price, manager of vaccine and preventable diseases for the health unit. But anyone born since 1970 is
advised to seek a second dose of vaccine because most have had only one.
Persons born before 1970 are seen as having “natural immunity,” she said, because they have likely already been exposed and have stronger defence
mechanisms.
Persons born before 1970 who work in health care or the military also should seek a second vaccination, she said.
from Vaccinations Urged with Mumps Outbreak: London Free Press
Also...
August 15, 2011:
MLHU Warns Post Secondary Students About Mumps Outbreak
SPREAD OF MUMPS FROM CANADA INTO THE UNITED STATES
ILLINOIS
September 27, 2011
The Adams County Health Department and Quincy University say several cases of mumps have been reported on the college campus.
from Mumps Outbreak Reported on QU Campus, Illinois
CALIFORNIA
September 18, 2011:
Poway, California - Mumps Reported
at Highland Ranch Elementary School
October 7, 2011
A mumps outbreak among the UC Berkeley community has increased to 27 suspected and confirmed cases, state officials said Friday...
...Just one week ago, the number of suspected and confirmed cases stood at three.
from UC Berkeley Mumps Outbreak Spreads to 27
Also...
***** Very Important Article Below *****
October 6, 2011:
ALL UC Berkeley Mumps Patients HAD TWO VACCINATIONS, city says
Other Articles on UC Berkeley Mumps Outbreak
September 30, 2011:
Mumps Outbreak at UC
Berkeley
October 5, 2011:
Mumps Outbreak Alert - UC Berkeley
October 6, 2011:
Cases of Mumps Dramatically Increase in
Last Week
ALL MUMPS OUTBREAK 2011
The overall factors is that ALL persons, even those vaccinated once or twice are at risk. The early Canada mumps cases said that those previously
vaccinated that only had one dose of MMR vaccine and not a second had caught this mumps strain.
..but...
at UC Berkeley, those who have had two doses of MMR vaccine are also contracting mumps.
One article quoted above contends that only those vaccinated after 1970 with MMR vaccine are at risk and need to get vaccinated again. (London)
Another article says that those vaccinated after 1956 are at risk and need another vaccine (Whistler, BC).
No matter what...those vaccinated once or twice are contracting this strain of mumps.
At risk-- over half of the United States is at risk. And I'm one of the people that don't want another dose of MMR vaccine either. I'd rather tough
it out with my immune system than chance a dose of mercury in a vaccine.