Mumps Resources
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The following materials have been designed for use by local and regional health departments in Texas to address mumps. Most of the documents have been made available in .doc format so that they can be modified as needed by each jurisdiction. Documents intended for the public (as opposed to healthcare professionals) have been translated into Spanish.
Mumps Fact Sheet (English and Spanish): The target population for the fact sheet is the general public. It can be used as a handout at conferences, given to cases and contacts, given by physicians to patients, and placed on websites. The fact sheet can also be found online at:
English: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4211.pdf
Spanish:
Letter to Physicians (Health Alert): Once an outbreak is identified, it is vital to notify local area physicians and hospitals as soon as possible. There are multiple purposes for this letter:
- To reduce transmission of mumps during an outbreak by raising the physician’s index of suspicion for mumps, thereby isolating more patients early in the infectious period.
- To ensure complete and prompt reporting by healthcare providers.
- To ensure appropriate testing of mumps suspects and contacts, and appropriate exclusion from school/work for cases.
- To remind health care providers of the importance of vaccinating patients appropriately.
Given the specific situation, certain aspects of the letter can be removed or highlighted (e.g., in an undervaccinated community, the immunizations piece may be the most critical).
The letter should be sent out under local health authority/local health department letterhead whenever possible. During an outbreak, it is recommended that all pediatricians, family practice physicians, internists, infectious disease physicians, general practitioners, ear nose and throat physicians, obstetricians/gynecologists, hospitals, and urgent care facilities within the local jurisdiction be notified of the outbreak. Generally, the scope of the alert should not be limited to a small geographic area (zip code, school district, etc.) because many clients travel outside of their residential area to visit their physician of choice. In some cases, the regional office may need to send out letters to surrounding counties. Please let your DSHS regional office and central office know if you distribute a health alert.
Mumps Vaccine Recommendations (English and Spanish): This handout can be included with the letter to physicians, given as a handout to the public, or used on the web. This handout is intended primarily for healthcare providers but can be used to provide summary mumps vaccine information to anyone interested. The content of this handout is based on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices found at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6204a1.htm
Mumps Testing: The handout can be included with the letter to physicians, given as a handout at healthcare conferences, and included on websites. This handout is intended for healthcare providers only. Additional information regarding mumps testing can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/sites/default/files/lab/index.html
Notification Letter (English and Spanish): The letter is meant to inform people about a potential exposure to mumps. Letters should (1) notify about the potential exposure, (2) educate on how to recognize signs and symptoms of mumps, (3) provide information about vaccination, and (4) provide information about how people can protect themselves. This letter can be sent from the facility where the exposure occurred or the local health authority/department or both. Please note there are two versions in Spanish—one is singular to be used when one person has been exposed in a household, one is plural for when a family or household members have been exposed.
Mumps Press Release: News organizations will be interested in running stories about mumps during outbreaks. The document provides some suggestions for key points to include in a press release or news story. Many example articles can be found by conducting an internet search on mumps. If you plan to issue a press release, please share a copy with your DSHS regional office and central office, as we may also receive media questions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, general mumps information
Pink Book's Chapter on Mumps, (PDF)
Mumps Prevention and Control in a Healthcare Setting
Mumps on College Campuses, (PDF)
Mumps Vaccine, (PDF)
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella – Vaccine Use and Strategies for Elimination of Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome and Control of Mumps: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2006 update
National Institutes of Health, general information on mumps