Mumps spreading in Alappuzha: What’s the best preventive measure? Doctor explains

Mumps disease is being spread among school children, especially very young children, in Alappuzha. A holiday has been declared for a few classes in some schools in the Haripad and Thrikunnapuzha regions in an attempt to curb the disease. It is assumed that mumps disease is widely spread as the weather is favourable for viral diseases. Besides mumps, viral fever and common cold are also commonly reported in the district. The authorities are trying to slow down the spread of mumps by keeping the patients in isolation. Declaring holidays for schools where students were diagnosed with mumps is part of this prevention drive.

Meanwhile, there is apparently a shortage of the measles–rubella vaccine that prevents mumps in the hospitals. Children were given the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) until 2017. However, the government withdrew this vaccine in 2017 due to doubts about its efficacy. Currently, infants are given the MR or Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine, which is said to be one of the reasons for mumps spreading among children.

Best preventive measure
Dr B Padmakumar, Principal of Medical College, Alappuzha, explains that the mumps virus spreads mainly through the air. “Restoring the MMR vaccine is the best preventive measure for mumps, which causes painful swelling in the salivary glands. Besides swollen salivary glands, high fever is also a symptom of the disease. Once infected, the body will fight the disease for up to five years. However, it could cause severe health problems in elderly people,” says the doctor.

If it becomes severe, mumps can also lead to brain fever and reproductive system problems, he says. “Recovery is possible within two weeks with medication and proper rest. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor upon noticing symptoms,” says Dr Padmakumar.