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State mumps outbreak grows to 81 cases

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 81 so far this year.

The number of mumps cases in Hawaii has jumped to 81, the state Health Department announced today, advising adults born since 1957 to get vaccinated if they aren’t already.

The figure is 16 cases more than the previous total, which was reported Tuesday, and reflects some results received over the Memorial Day weekend. Mumps is a highly contagious respiratory disease.

Most of the new cases can be tied to previously confirmed illnesses. None of the cases has required hospitalization, according to the department.

“The DOH is recommending all adults born in or after 1957, without evidence of immunity to mumps, who cannot verify previous MMR vaccination, should receive at least one MMR vaccine dose,” the department said in a news release. “Individuals with only one documented MMR dose, are strongly encouraged to consider receiving a second MMR vaccine dose.”

MMR is the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

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