Largest mumps outbreak in 3 years is reported in NY, NJ, government says

By MIKE STOBBE , Associated Press

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 5:39 PM

ATLANTA - U.S. health officials say the largest U.S. outbreak of mumps in three years is occurring in New York and New Jersey.

About 180 cases were identified in those two states from the time an investigation began in August through the end of October. Another 15 cases tied to the same outbreak have been reported in Canada. Three people have been hospitalized but no deaths were reported.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the outbreak was first reported at a boys camp in Sullivan County, N.Y. It may have been triggered by an 11-year-old boy from the United Kingdom, where an ongoing mumps outbreak has sickened about 4,000.

Mumps is spread by coughing and sneezing with the most common symptoms being fever, headache and swollen salivary glands under the jaw. It sometimes lead to serious problems such as hearing loss, meningitis and fertility-diminishing swollen testicles.

Recent Health + Wellness stories

China's health ministry investigating deaths of 2 people vaccinated for swine flu - November 12, 2009

China's health ministry investigating deaths of 2 people vaccinated for swine flu - Two people in China who received swine flu vaccinations died in the past week but at least one death appears unrelated to the vaccine and the other was being investigated. More