U.S. Mumps Cases at 10-Year High: CDC

by WebMD December 13, 2016

Dec. 13, 2016 — Mumps cases in the United States are at a 10-year high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of November, a total of 2,879 mumps infections had been reported in 45 states and the District of Columbia, more than twice the number of mumps cases reported in 2015.

A growing number of schools and colleges are dealing with mumps outbreaks. For example, the University of Missouri’s Columbia campus has confirmed 193 cases since the start of school in late August, CBS News reported.

One reason mumps can spread easily at colleges is dormitory living, according to Dr. Michael Grosso, medical director and CMO of Huntington Hospital/Northwell Health.

“It’s spread through respiratory secretions, coughing, sneezing, close contact and sharing the same cups and utensils,” he told CBS News.

WebMD News from HealthDay