Currently, Kerala is facing an outbreak of mumps, with the state reporting 190 cases in a single day on Sunday, March 10. This month alone, there have been 2,505 cases of the viral infection, and a total of 11,467 cases have been reported since January 2024, as per data from the Kerala's Health Department.

Officials from the Union Health Ministry have confirmed the outbreak and have alerted the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the state.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by the paramyxovirus and spreads through direct contact or airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of an infected person. Generally, initial symptoms include a low-grade fever, headache, body aches, and malaise, which may appear two to four weeks after exposure. Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands near the jawline, is the hallmark symptom. However, it primarily affects young children; adolescents and adults can also be infected.

Most cases are witnessed in Malappuram district and other parts of northern Kerala. While a vaccine for mumps, measles, and rubella exists, it is not included in the universal immunization program of the government.

According to public health experts, children can receive the mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine at private centers, even though they have already received the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine as part of the immunization program.

An anonymous immunization expert explained that including an MMR vaccine in the government’s program isn’t practical as it doesn’t offer as much protection against mumps as it does against measles and rubella. Moreover, Malappuram has historically exhibited high levels of vaccine hesitancy in Kerala.

While mumps is usually a self-limiting disease, in rare cases it can result in complications such as brain swelling, hearing loss, painful inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in males, and inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) in females.

Prevention of mumps first involves vaccination and good hygiene practices. The MMR vaccine is highly efficacious in preventing mumps. It is typically administered in two doses during childhood, which provides long-lasting immunity. Moreover, good hygiene habits like frequent handwashing with soap and water, avoiding sharing utensils or drinks with infected people and covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing can help reduce the chances of mumps transmission.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Komal Bhoi/MSM)