Brooklyn Mumps Outbreak

MYFOXNY.COM - New York City's Health and Mental Hygiene Department is warning doctors about a mumps outbreak in Brooklyn.

The cases started turning up in late August.

The outbreak began among children from Borough Park who attended summer camp in Upstate New York.  Now, a similar outbreak is being reported in New Jersey

So far, 57 confirmed or probable cases have been identified in New York. Cases of mumps have continued to occur in Borough Park since the start of the school year.

The victims have ranged in age from 1 to 42 years of age. Most of the cases are among children ages 10-15 years old.

Mumps is an illness characterized by acute swelling of the salivary gland lasting two or more days. The illness can cause deafness and encephalitis.

A person can be infected for two days before symptoms appear.

The health department is telling people who suspect they have mumps to stay home for five days.

Children who are not fully vaccinated against mumps are the highest risk of infection.

All suspected of cases of mumps should be reported to the Bureau of Immunization at 212-676-2288.

• MORE INFORMATION ON MUMPS FROM THE CDC
• WHO SHOULD NOT BE VACCINATED FOR MUMPS