The Tulsa Health Department is currently investigating an outbreak of mumps in Tulsa County. There have been 8 cases identified, 5 of which have been laboratory confirmed. One of the confirmed cases is a student at the 7th Grade Center at Owasso Public Schools.
THD health officials are following standard disease investigation and response protocols which include working with individuals who have potentially been exposed through close contact with the confirmed and probable cases. THD is working closely with Owasso Public Schools administration to ensure that students, parents and teachers who may have been exposed are notified and receive guidance on what precautions they may need to take.
Persons who may have been exposed should have their immunization status evaluated, watch for signs and symptoms, and seek medical attention as soon as symptoms suggestive of mumps begin. Additionally, THD officials are notifying area clinics and hospitals to provide clinical guidance to health care providers.
Mumps is a virus that is spread from person to person through contact with saliva or mucus from an infected person’s mouth, nose, or throat. It can be spread through coughing, sneezing, or sharing items like drinks or eating utensils. Symptoms of the mumps virus most commonly include swollen salivary glands, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Symptoms usually appear around 16-18 days after exposure to someone who is contagious with the virus. A person can spread the mumps virus two days before through five days after symptoms begin, therefore it’s important for those individuals to stay home from work, school or childcare until at least five days after their salivary glands begin to swell.