The number of laboratory confirmed cases of mumps in Iowa continues to grow since the outbreak began in mid-July. As of Nov. 20, the State Hygienic Laboratory confirmed 165 mumps cases. Of these, 139 cases were in Johnson County.

University of Iowa students who are younger than 25 should have a third dose of the MMR vaccine, as recommended by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Johnson County Public Health and the University of Iowa. A third dose of MMR vaccine is not recommended for others at this time.

Students can receive the booster at no charge (with their student ID card) from the University of Iowa Student Health.

The symptoms of mumps include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Jaw pain
• Swelling in the salivary (parotid) glands

The Iowa Department of Public Health tracks the incidence of mumps in Iowa and provides additional information about the disease.

Mumps laboratory testing in Iowa

Johnson County (while mumps outbreak is occurring):

• Patient with symptoms consistent with mumps for three or less days – obtain buccal swab and blood for IgM serologic testing.
• Patient with symptoms consistent with mumps for more than three days, diagnosed based on clinical symptoms –obtain blood for IgM serologic testing (do not need to obtain buccal swab).
• Report to public health all patients with positive laboratory test and/or clinically diagnosed mumps.

Outside of Johnson County:

• Patients with symptoms consistent with mumps – obtain buccal swab and blood for IgM serologic testing.

Mumps specimen collection
Serology

• Collect 7-10ml of blood in a red-top or serum-separator tube for IgM test upon suspicion of mumps.
• Store specimens at 4°C and ship on wet ice packs.

Buccal swab

• Massage the parotid area for 30 seconds prior to swabbing the area around Stensen’s duct gland.
• Synthetic swabs are preferred over cotton swabs.