Three cases of mumps confirmed.Byline: Tim Christie The Register-Guard Lane County Public Health officials said Wednesday they've found two more cases of the mumps, for a total of three confirmed cases, and they're still awaiting lab results on at least eight other suspected cases. Two of the confirmed cases involved health care workers at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield, and the third involves a University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. student, public health officials said. It's not known how many other McKenzie-Willamette employees or patients might have been exposed to mumps by the two health care workers, hospital and public health officials said. Nor is it known how many UO students and staff members may have been exposed. The UO student lived in a private residence, not a dormitory, public health nurse Martha deBroekert said. University officials said they are awaiting lab results for several cases of suspected mumps among students, staff and faculty. Mumps is a viral infection viral infection, n an infection by a pathogenic virus. A virus acts on the cell nucleus, taking over the genetic material within the nucleus and replicating itself. of the salivary glands salivary glands (săl`əvâr'ē), in humans, three pairs of glands that secrete the alkaline digestive fluid, saliva, into the mouth. that is spread through coughs or sneezes, by talking closely with someone who is infected in·fect tr.v. in·fect·ed, in·fect·ing, in·fects 1. To contaminate with a pathogenic microorganism or agent. 2. To communicate a pathogen or disease to. 3. To invade and produce infection in. and by transfer of saliva saliva Thick, colourless fluid constantly present in the mouth, composed of water, mucus, proteins, mineral salts, and amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starches. One to two litres are produced daily by the salivary glands. . Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache and swelling of the glands close to the jaw. Public health officials say the best way to slow the spread of disease is by following common-sense hygiene: covering coughs, staying home with a fever and washing hands. Behind the scenes, public health nurses have been engaging in detective work to try to figure out how the disease is spreading. The two hospital workers, one a nurse, the other a clerical worker, began showing symptoms at about the same time, which indicates they didn't give each other the disease, deBroekert said. It's unlikely health officials will ever discover the source of the spread, she said. It could have been spread by someone who had mild, or even no, symptoms, she said. At the UO, health officials have sent letters to students, staff and faculty, urging them to check their immunization immunization: see immunity; vaccination. records and to get vaccinated for mumps if they're uncertain. Adults born before 1957 most likely had mumps or were exposed to it as children and are considered immune. A single vaccination vaccination, means of producing immunity against pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, by the introduction of live, killed, or altered antigens that stimulate the body to produce antibodies against more dangerous forms. provides lifetime immunity of 80 percent to 85 percent, deBroekert said. A second vaccination bumps bumps a term used to describe a variety of papulonodular dermatoses in horses, including 'heat bumps', 'feed bumps', 'protein bumps', 'wheat bumps' and others. No specific disease or etiology has been assigned to the term and veterinary dermatologists wish it would disappear from use. that protection to 90 percent. But even a shot of vaccine is no guarantee: All three people with confirmed cases of the mumps had received two vaccinations. Health officials said if someone thinks they may have mumps, they should call ahead before walking into an ER or a doctor's waiting room. Mumps, once a common childhood disease all but eradicated by childhood vaccinations, re-emerged this winter as the nation's worst outbreak in 20 years spread from Iowa across the Midwest. The Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. contributed to this report |
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