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Fayette County Health Officials Confirm Mumps Cases

Alexander Korzh
/
123rf Stock Photo

Fayette County health officials are reporting two cases of mumps in the Lexington area.  These are the first confirmed cases of the viral disease this year.  

Fayette County Health Commissioner Kraig Humbaugh says both people had been vaccinated against mumps.  Humbaugh says the vaccine, developed in the late 1960’s, is about 88% effective.

The health department director says mumps are often seen on university campuses. “In a setting that’s more of an institutional setting where people are in closer physical proximity, it has been noted, and there are cases going on at college campuses throughout the country right now,” Humbaugh said.

Dr. Humbaugh says mumps is still a relatively rare ailment and not found on all college campuses.  Still, the health commissioner says the resurgence could be partly attributed to decisions not to immunize and global movement to areas where mumps is more common.  There were ten confirmed cases in Fayette County last year.

© 2017 WEKU

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