9/13 – County Health Department Now Investigating 25 Cases of Mumps; State Investigating 16 More

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FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Health Department is investigating 25 cases of mumps in Monmouth County, only 1 case remains confirmed.
“The number of cases under investigation in Monmouth County has dropped because our health department is only investigating cases involving Monmouth County residents who have come forward to report mumps-like symptoms,” county public health coordinator Michael Meddis said. “Another 16 cases are being investigated by the New Jersey Department of Health.”
The cases under investigation include individuals who have or had mumps-like symptoms as early as Aug. 3. All of the Monmouth County cases under investigation have either been patrons or employees of D’Jais Bar and Grill in Belmar.
The Health Department re-inspected D’Jais earlier today and gave the establishment a satisfactory rating.
A satisfactory rating indicates that a food establishment is found to be operating in substantial compliance with the state Administrative Code 8:24-8.11 and that the food service personnel have demonstrated that they are aware of and are practicing sanitation and food safety principles as outlined in the code.
County health department personnel immunized 32 D’Jais employees on Sunday, Sept. 8, with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine; three additional employees were immunized on Sept. 11. On both occasions, several D’Jais employees also submitted immunization records that were evaluated for age appropriate MMR immunization.
D’Jais voluntarily closed its doors to patrons last week in response to the suspected outbreak of mumps.
“If you believe that you may have been exposed to someone who has experienced mumps like symptoms, call the Monmouth County Health Department,” said Meddis. “Our public health nurses can answer your questions and evaluate your need for additional follow-up.”
The Monmouth County Health Department continues to ask that anyone who is experiencing swelling of salivary glands along with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite should seek medical attention and call the Health Department at 732-431-7456.
The national Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the mumps virus is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. Items used by an infected person, such as cups or soft drink cans, can also be contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others if those items are shared.
“Healthcare providers and public health officials should remain vigilant for patients presenting with an illness clinically compatible with mumps,” said Meddis. “To prevent the further spread of this disease, health care professionals need to continue to monitor and report every possible diagnosis of mumps.”
People who were vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine, as an infant and again between the ages of 4 and 6, are 90 percent less likely to contract mumps, according to the CDC.
Mumps is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. Items used by an infected person, such as cups or soft drink cans, can also be contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others if those items are shared.
Most mumps transmissions likely occur before the salivary glands begin to swell and within the 5 days after the swelling begins. Therefore, CDC recommends isolating mumps patients for 5 days after their glands begin to swell.
Anyone who presents such symptoms should contact their health care professional immediately.
More information about mumps is available from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html.