Mumps Outbreak in Johnson County, Texas

The mumps have managed to rear their ugly head in a North Texas town where 10 cases have prompted the school district to issue a health warning. Johnson County health authorities have identified that seven of the 10 cases are within the Keene Independent School District.

Photo: Pixabay

Superintendent for the Keene Independent School District identified that some local children aren’t vaccinated, noting in an interview with ABC13, “You definitely don’t want seven or 10 cases to turn into 40 and that can easily happen.” As a result, those students who are not inoculated will not be allowed to attend school over the next 26 days.

Photo: Pixabay

Dallas County issued a similar health advisory after one confirmed mumps case last week, identifying the possibility of there being others. “Mumps is almost unheard of in this day and age,” said Johnson County Health Department’s Dr. Elvin Adams. Symptoms of the disease include a feeling of being tired and weak, a possible fever and swelling of the glands, resulting in an almost chipmunk-like look to the mouth. While not a fatal disease, mumps can present as quite painful and can be easily spread.

Photo: Wikipedia

Vaccines from the state health department will be provided to students in the Keene Independent School District who require shots and due to the disease incubation cycle, a mandatory 26-day waiting period for attendance back at school will be in effect for any students that do not receive the shot.