Health Department: 2 mumps cases confirmed, more suspected in Springdale area

Two cases of mumps in the Springdale area have been confirmed and several more possible cases identified, according to a news release from the Arkansas Department of Health.

The cluster of mumps cases is the largest in Arkansas since 2010, the news release stated.

The cases include eight children who go to either Springdale High School, Lakeside Junior High, Sonora Middle School or Turnbow Elementary, Rick Schaeffer, spokesman for the Springdale School District, said in a statement.

Students in the affected schools with exemptions for the mumps vaccine will be excluded from school for 26 days from the date of exposure and until the outbreak has ended, according to the news release. Those with non-medical exemptions for the vaccine can return as soon as they are vaccinated, the release stated.

Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling in the salivary glands and cheeks. Those with the illness may also have headaches, fatigue, muscle aches and low-grade fevers.

There is no cure, but symptoms usually resolve within a few weeks. It is generally considered a mild illness in children, but can cause more serious problems in adults, according to the news release.

Vaccines are effective in preventing most cases of mumps, the news release stated. The vaccine is commonly given as part of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine package.

"Mumps is easily spread from person to person," Dr. Dirk Haselow, the department's epidemiologist and outbreak response medical director, said in the news release. "We expect to see more cases in the coming weeks. We urge Arkansans to make sure that they and their loved ones are up-to-date on the MMR vaccine."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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