MUMPS DISEASE OUTBREAK HIT NORTH WEST

The North West Department of Health MEC Madoda Sambatha has cautioned members of the public and communities in the Province about the outbreak of Mumps diseases. With Dr Kenneth Kaunda District having the highest prevalence, the cases have risen to a total of 342 in no time and further spread other districts is already picking up.

Dr Kenneth Kaunda District alone has thus far reported 276 cases out of the 342 which are prevalent at JB Marks, Maquassi Hills and Matlosana. Ngaka Modiri Molema District has 30 cases, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has 27 cases while Bojanala has recorded 9 cases.

The outbreak follows confirmation of laboratory results by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
The NICD has described Mumps as an acute viral infection caused by the rubulavirus, also known as mumps virus. It is sometimes called ‘infectious parotitis’, as it causes painful swelling of the parotid and or salivary glands.

Mumps is generally a mild childhood disease, mostly affecting children between 5-9 years of age. However, younger and older children as well as adults, can become infected with mumps. People who have had mumps are usually protected for life against another mumps infection. However, second occurrences of mumps do rarely occur.

North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha has called members of the public, parents and care givers to heed the call for immunisation of children against mumps. “Parents and caregivers should bring along the “Road to Health” immunisation cards to the nearby health facility to ensure that their children are immunised against mumps. Our outbreak response teams are also working hard to contain the spread. We will also work with the Education Department to take the campaign to learners through the School Health Programme and parents and caregivers are urged to give consent for immunisation of their children”, said MEC Sambatha.