The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is urging all Kansas to be aware and careful as there is a spreading number of cases of mumps in the state.
There have been 56 reported cases of mumps in Kansas spread over 12 counties, though none yet in Sedgwick.
Cases of mumps declined after the measles, mumps and rubella combined vaccine was in widespread use by the early '70s. The MMR vaccine is administered at about a year, and then a booster is given at age 4 or 5.
KDHE is encouraging Kansans to make sure that they are up to date on their immunizations and isolate themselves if they think they might have mumps. The symptoms include headache, fever, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite, and then the characteristic swollen salivary glands.
The disease is highly contagious and can be spread like a cold: sneezing, sharing utensils, and even by touching an infected surface.
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Aileen LeBlanc is news director at KMUW. Follow her on Twitter @Aileen_LeBlanc.
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