The state of Iowa has experienced a significant numbers of confirmed cases of mumps in recent months. Several neighboring states have experienced smaller scale outbreaks.

If a student comes to the health and wellness center complaining of a fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and swelling of the salivary glands (especially the parotid which is located near the jaw line, below the ears), further testing may be necessary to rule out mumps.

Now is a great time to take a few minutes to refresh your knowledge on the signs, symptoms, prevention strategies, control measures, and reporting of mumps. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers several resources that are available on their Mumps webpage.

Download and view a National Immunization Coalition Technical Assistance Network teleconference on the 2006 mumps outbreak.