Mumps is a viral infection that can cause swelling in the salivary glands, leading to discomfort and sometimes serious complications. While the disease is not as common as it once was thanks to widespread vaccination efforts, recent outbreaks have shown that it’s still important to understand how to protect yourself and your family from contracting the virus.
The Rise of Mumps Outbreaks
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of mumps outbreaks in the United States and other countries around the world. In 2016, for example, there were over 5,300 reported cases of mumps in the United States, the highest number since 2006. This trend has continued in subsequent years, with outbreaks reported in various states across the country.
The cause of these outbreaks is not entirely clear, but experts believe that a combination of factors may be contributing to the increase in cases. One possible factor is waning immunity among people who were vaccinated against mumps in childhood.
