Health Department confirms 7 more mumps cases, one on Kauai
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A pediatrician holds a dose of the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine in California. The number of mumps cases in Hawaii has grown to 65 so far this year.
Six more cases of mumps have been confirmed on Oahu and one on Kauai, the state Department of Health said today.
That brings the total to 65 so far this year.
The recently confirmed cases include children and adults whose infection is linked to other cases on Oahu, the department said. None of the individuals required hospitalization.
The department expects to see more cases of mumps in Hawaii as the viral disease is highly contagious and circulating on Oahu. Information on case numbers is updated regularly here.
Mumps is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus is also spread by sharing items such as cups or eating utensils, or by touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.
A vaccine is available that protects against mumps, measles and rubella. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 88 percent effective in protecting against mumps, the department said.
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The vaccine is available at local pharmacies across the state.
