2 Mumps Cases Confirmed In Lexington

– By WTVQ TV 36 –

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is reporting that mumps has recently been identified in two Fayette County residents.

These are the first laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps in the community this year.

Mumps is a rare but contagious disease spread through coughing and sneezing. It usually causes swollen glands under the ears or jaw, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.  The symptoms tend to last for about seven to 10 days.

The Health Department is advising resident that if you or someone in your family has these symptoms, please contact your medical provider and stay home from work/school for five days after the start of the symptoms.

The best way to protect against mumps is to get the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination, also called the MMR shot. Doctors recommend that all children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at ages 12-15 months, the next at 4-6 years. The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has some MMR vaccine available for those who qualify through the Vaccines for Children Program. Please call the Public Health Clinic at 859-288-2483 to find out if you qualify.

Proper hygiene can also help prevent the spread of mumps. Frequent hand washing is recommended, especially after using the bathroom, coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.