Reply to Measles confirmed - exposure to thousands in NoVA and DC

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[quote=Anonymous]Mumps is also on the rise in MD: 10 confirmed cases so far in 2026. The whole of 2025 only had 4 confirmed cases

“February 10, 2026
Dear Colleague,
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has noted a recent increase in mumps cases.
Specifically, there have been 14 cases reported in Maryland (10 confirmed and 4 probable) in
2026, compared to 4 cases (1 confirmed and 3 probable) in all of 2025. These recent cases
have primarily been occurring in adults in the Baltimore metropolitan area, although mumps
cases can occur in any age group and throughout the state. We would like to make you
aware of this increase so that you can take appropriate steps to identify suspected cases
in a timely manner, ensure appropriate testing and public health reporting is completed,
and continue to offer vaccination for patients as per current clinical recommendations.
MDH recommends that healthcare providers take the following steps:
●
Ensure all patients are up-to-date on MMR vaccination. Vaccination is the most
effective way to protect against mumps. Additionally, in the context of measles outbreaks
throughout the United States and abroad, MMR is also important to prevent measles as
well.
○
Adults who have never received the MMR vaccine and were born after 1957
should receive 2 doses 4 weeks apart.
●
Be aware of the clinical presentation of mumps, which usually involves fever and
systemic symptoms followed by pain, tenderness, and swelling in one or both parotid
salivary glands, and fever.
○
Note that while parotitis is a characteristic feature of mumps infection, other
commonly circulating respiratory pathogens, including influenza, can also cause
parotitis.
●
Gather additional information about the patient’s:
○
History of mumps vaccination or previous mumps infection (note that even fully
vaccinated individuals can be infected with mumps, but often have milder
symptoms)
○
Exposure to sick individuals (and diagnoses, if known) and any recent travel.
●
If you suspect mumps in a patient:
●
Use droplet and standard precautions when caring for a patient with
suspected mumps.
●
Order a rapid influenza diagnostic test or respiratory virus panel for
individuals who present with other signs and symptoms consistent with influenza.
●
Order mumps PCR testing.
○
○
●
PCR is the preferred testing method for mumps diagnosis. Mumps
PCR testing can be requested through the MDH laboratory, but must first
be approved by the local health department/MDH.
Order mumps serologic testing in addition to PCR if it has been more
than 3 days since the onset of symptoms or if any of the following is
present: orchitis/oophoritis, mastitis, pancreatitis, hearing loss, meningitis,
or encephalitis.
Report suspected mumps cases to the local health department
immediately.
Mumps Background
●
Signs/Symptoms: Mumps is an acute viral illness caused by a paramyxovirus and
usually involves pain, tenderness, and swelling in one or both parotid salivary glands
(parotitis). Swelling may be unilateral or bilateral and usually lasts 3 to 7 days. Less
frequently, the submandibular and sublingual glands may swell. Prodromal symptoms
may precede parotitis by several days, including low-grade fever, myalgia, loss of
appetite, malaise, headache, and respiratory symptoms.
Complications: orchitis, oophoritis, mastitis, meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, and
hearing loss.
Mode of transmission: through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from
the mouth, nose, or throat.
Incubation period: On average 16 to 18 days, with a range of 12 to 25 days.
Infectious period: Two days before through five days after the onset of parotitis.
For more information, please refer to MDH’s mumps guidance document or contact your local
health department.
As a reminder, the Maryland Vaccine Program (MVP) makes vaccines, including MMR vaccine,
available free to uninsured or underinsured adults. Eligible Marylanders can contact their local
health department to check on availability.
Thank you for your continued help in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and promoting
vaccinations for your patients.
Sincerely,
●
●
●
●
Monique Duwell, MD, MPH
Chief, Center for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response”

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