Mumps outbreak triggers school closure and heightened surveillance in Alappuzha

The Health department has intensified surveillance and preventive measures following mumps outbreak in Alappuzha.

The outbreak has prompted the closure of two schools – Government NS Lower Primary School, Eramalloor, and Government Lower Primary School, Perumbalam South, – for 21 days. At least 23 students at the Eramalloor school and nine at the Perumbalam South school have tested positive for the disease in recent days. The infection has also been confirmed in two children from Mannancherry grama panchayat.

Last month, 33 students at Government JB Lower Primary School, Punnapra, tested positive for the disease, prompting the school to close for 21 days.

Precautionary measures

Health department officials said that they were closely monitoring the situation. Precautionary measures are being implemented in collaboration with local bodies to prevent the spread of the disease.

K.C. Venugopal, MP, has urged Health Minister Veena George to deploy a special team to monitor and contain the outbreak in the district. Mr. Venugopal called for awareness programmes to educate the public about the symptoms of mumps, as well as the necessary precautionary measures and hygiene practices to prevent its spread. He urged the government to provide free testing and treatment for affected children and other members of their families.

The MP said that despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, mumps was not included in the Universal Immunisation Programme. “It is the reason for the spread of mumps. With the disease spreading, doctors are recommending replacing the MR vaccine with the MMR vaccine. The government should take necessary steps to implement this,” Mr. Venugopal added.

Common symptoms

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that primarily affects children but could also infect adolescents and adults. It mostly causes the parotid salivary glands on one or both sides of the face to swell and may be tender or painful. Other common symptoms include fever, headache, difficulty chewing, muscle aches and fatigue. According to health experts, those exhibiting symptoms should seek medical treatment without delay. If untreated, the disease could lead to complications such as encephalitis, hearing loss, infertility, swelling of testicles, ovaries, and pancreas.

Mumps spreads easily through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and is contagious from just before the swelling of the glands and up to five days after the appearance of swelling. Infected individuals are advised to limit contact with others. The patients should rest completely until fully recovered and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.