Number of mumps cases jumps to 41 in Vancouver Coastal Health region

The number of cases of mumps reported in young adults in the Vancouver Coast Health region has jumped from eight to 41 and now includes Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver and North Vancouver.

According to the region’s medical health officer, the average age of patients in this mumps outbreak is 33 years old.

“Due to their age, most of those infected with mumps likely only had one dose of mumps vaccine and so were not fully protected against the disease,” VCH’s Dr. Althea Hayden said.

“That’s why we are encouraging everyone between the ages of 22 and 46, if you aren’t sure you’ve had two doses to get a second dose of the vaccine so that they are fully protected.”

The highly contagious viral infection is spread through coughing, sneezing or sharing cups or utensils touched by saliva or mucus.

The health authority says anyone who is uncertain about their vaccination status should get immunized as soon as possible. The VCH says anyone born after Jan. 1, 1970 needs to have two doses of mumps-containing vaccine to be protected and anyone born after 1970 or know they have had mumps infection, are considered protected from natural infection.

VCH notes a second dose of Measles, Mumps, Rubella MMR was not added to routine vaccinations in B.C. until 1996, many adults born between 1970 and 1996 are not fully protected.

Mumps causes fever and is often linked to swelling of the salivary glands located below the jaw and ears and under the tongue.

It can also lead to swelling of the testes in males and swelling of the ovaries in women while other complications can include meningitis or deafness.

MMR vaccine is available for free from public health units, pharmacists, family doctors and most walk-in clinics.

~ with files from Canadian Press