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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Health officials said in a press release that there have been 18 new mumps cases, all residents on three islands. Twelve of the 18 are on Oahu, four on Kauai and two on Hawaii island.
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A double-digit bump in new mumps cases was reported Friday by the state Department of Health, bringing the total this year to 172.
Health officials said in a press release that there have been 18 new cases, all residents on three islands. Twelve of the 18 are on Oahu, four on Kauai and two on Hawaii island.
“The important thing for people to remember is to keep their germs to themselves,” Ronald Balajadia, Immunization Branch chief, DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division, said in the press release. “We encourage the public to stay home when sick, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, wash their hands frequently and make sure they are fully vaccinated.”
The department recommends MMR vaccinations for adults born in and after 1957 who haven’t had the contagious disease. After two doses the vaccine is 88 percent effective, the DOH said.
All children should receive two doses, which are typically given at 12 to 15 months old and, the second, at 4 to 6 years old. “However, because of the continued circulation of mumps in Hawaii, children between 1 to 4 years of age should receive their second dose now (a minimum of four weeks after the first dose),” the DOH said.