The State Hygienic Laboratory announced on Aug. 24 that it has reported 13 cases of mumps in Iowa since mid-July. All the cases occurred in Iowa City with an average patient age of 22.

These cases were reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Johnson County Public Health (JCPH), which investigate all cases to help prevent the spread of the virus. As of Aug. 24, JCPH has received reports of 18 cases, and the laboratory reported 13 to IDPH.

Laura Clark prepares to do mumps testing.

The nationwide total of confirmed mumps cases through Aug. 15 is 310, with 99 in Illinois and 45 in New York (New York and New York City combined).

The CDC on its website reports mumps is usually preventable with two measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations, and that, “in most children, mumps is pretty mild. But it can cause serious, long-lasting problems.

“Mumps outbreaks can still occur in highly vaccinated U.S. communities, particularly in close-contact settings such as schools, colleges, and camps,” the CDC advised. “However, high vaccination coverage helps to limit the size, duration, and spread of mumps outbreaks, making it that much more important to get your child vaccinated on schedule.”

The average number of Iowa mumps cases statewide in the last four years is seven. In the 2006 Iowa outbreak, there were 1,964 confirmed cases, most of which were college-age adults.

The State Hygienic Laboratory and IDPH conduct statewide surveillance of reportable diseases in Iowa, including vaccine-preventable illnesses such as mumps. More information about tests for mumps or other reportable diseases is available online.