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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
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
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
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
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