Kerala has seen over 11,000 Mumps cases in recent months, but the numbers are still lower compared to other areas. Doctors urge parents to be vigilant as Measles and Mumps are prevalent among children during this time, and some cases have been reported in city hospitals. Mumps symptoms include mild fever, muscle aches, headaches, and swollen salivary glands. Measles symptoms include a cough, runny nose, red eyes, sore throat, fever, and a rash.
In Chennai, there are typically 1-2 cases of Mumps and 3-4 cases of Measles reported per week. Most of these cases are among children, though they can also occur in teenagers and adults. Measles cases tend to increase during March and April before decreasing in the following weeks, according to Dr. P Balaji, the dean of Stanley Medical College and Hospital.
According to medical experts, Mumps is spread through contact with an infected person’s saliva. Measles, on the other hand, is transmitted through respiratory droplets released during sneezing or coughing. Currently, scattered cases of Measles and Mumps have been reported in the city. These could be influenced by weather conditions, but they don’t constitute an outbreak like the one recently witnessed in Kerala. Flu-like illnesses are also being reported. Dr. Sai Vignesh, an internal medicine specialist at Parvathy Hospital, advises prioritizing prevention and seeking prompt medical attention if symptoms appear.
Medical experts stress the significance of getting vaccinated against Measles and Mumps through the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. The combined vaccine protects against both illnesses, making immunisation essential. Despite a small increase in Measles cases, Mumps cases remain infrequent. Parents should ensure that their children receive the MMR vaccine to safeguard them against Measles, as advised by a pediatrician at a local government hospital.
According to Dr. TS Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, there have been 205 reported cases of Mumps this month alone, as per the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. While mostly children are being affected, and the numbers have increased compared to previous years, the virus is self-limiting and does not pose a significant mortality risk. As such, there is no immediate cause for concern.
According to Dr. Selvavinayagagm, the only current recommendations for mumps are isolation of infected individuals with supportive care and emphasis on respiratory hygiene, particularly in institutional settings like schools. Due to these reasons, the mumps vaccine is not included in the routine immunization program.
