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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / crussell@staradvertiser.com
A Kaiser Permanente nurse demonstrates how the Mumps Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is administered at the Kaiser Permanente Honolulu Clinic early this month.
Health officials announced 14 new cases of mumps today, including the first one on Hawaii island, pushing the statewide total to 133 this year.
The state Department of Health said in a news release that under state law, people with mumps may not go to school, work, or travel for nine days after they develop swollen salivary glands. Other symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue and muscle aches.
“We continue to see people with mumps being mobile in the community well after the onset of the illness and before they have been diagnosed,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “This increases the risk for introduction of the disease on other islands and areas of our state as well as continued spread on Oahu.”
Mumps is highly contagious and is spread through coughing, sneezing, sharing cups and utensils. Eleven of the latest cases were on Oahu and two on Kauai. Eight were adults and six were children.
Hawaii residents who are not already immune to the disease should have two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Given the current outbreak, the Health Department advises parents to accelerate the second dose for young children.
For more information visit http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/department-of-health-investigating-mumps-cases/.
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