According to reporting from the Baltimore Banner, Maryland health officials sent a letter to health care professionals about a recent rise in adult mumps cases in the state. Online health advocates shared the article and highlighted the risks associated with a mumps infection. Several posts noted that mumps can cause life-threatening complications. Some posts accused federal health officials of undermining trust in the MMR vaccine.
Recommendation
Cases of vaccine-preventable diseases provide an opportunity to share information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Health communicators may explain that mumps is a viral infection that causes painful swelling of salivary glands and is typically spread through coughing or sneezing. Messaging may emphasize that the infection can cause severe complications, including pancreatitis, swelling of the brain and spinal cord, hearing loss, and inflammation of the testicles, which can lead to infertility. Additionally, messaging may explain that two doses of the MMR vaccine are 86 percent effective against infection and provide lifelong protection.
Fact-checking sources: KidsHealth.org, AAP
Communication resources: More on communicating about the ongoing measles outbreak
