Public health and school officials in Sanpete County have confirmed two cases of mumps in their area.  The Southeast Utah Health Department would like to encourage everyone to ensure that their MMR vaccinations are up to date in order to prevent further spread of the disease.

Mumps is moderately contagious.  Symptoms of mumps include sore muscles, anorexia, malaise, headache, and a low-grade fever.  The most common manifestation of mumps is swelling and tenderness in the salivary glands.  Swelling usually develops two days after initial symptoms, and usually resolves within 10 days of onset.

Students that have a vaccine exemption will be required to stay home from school for 26 days after an exposure to someone with mumps.  Individuals with mumps should self-quarantine for 5 days after the onset of swelling.

As of now, Southeast Utah Health Department has not received word of any mumps exposure in Carbon, Emery, or Grand Counties.

If you still have questions, call the Price, Castle Dale, or Moab office and ask to speak to a public health nurse.