HONOLULU (AP) — The state Department of Health confirmed four more people in Hawaii have mumps, which brings this year’s total to 20. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — The state Department of Health confirmed four more people in Hawaii have mumps,
HONOLULU (AP) — The state Department of Health confirmed four more people in Hawaii have mumps, which brings this year’s total to 20.
In addition, one more person in the state was confirmed to have rat lungworm, which brings the disease total to 14 people.
The state said there are at least two separate clusters of mumps cases. Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist, said health care providers were notified about the disease because it’s easily spread.
“We expect additional cases to be reported in the coming weeks,” Park said. “There is no specific treatment for mumps infection and while most people will recover completely, mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults.”
The disease is not considered life threatening, but there are some lasting side effects, including the swelling of salivary glands and swollen jaws.
Health Department officials said a vaccine is nearly 90 percent effective against the disease with two doses.
As for rat lungworm, the new case is an adult who drank kava and previously was reported as a highly probable case in April.
