Mumps Outbreak Spreads Across Midwest

from USA Today

Health officials are keeping a close eye on a mumps outbreak that continues to spread across the Midwest.

Apparently the mumps are so rare most people don't even recognize it. The virus swells the salivary glands, creating a chipmunk look. It usually goes away after a week, but it's highly contagious.

A state like Iowa sees about five cases a year. But this year there have been at least 600 cases reported. Another 100 cases have been reported in six other Midwestern states, including four in Wisconsin. And even if you've been vaccinated for the mumps, you may not be in the clear.

A student on vacation in Tucson and another passenger may have helped spread the disease to a large number of people. The student traveled April 2 from Tucson to Dallas on American Airlines flight 1216, then took connecting flights on to Fayetteville, Ark., St. Louis and finally to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The second passenger flew on several flights between Iowa, Minnesota, Detroit and Washington D.C., in late March.