With a mumps outbreak in neighbouring Manitoba and Alberta, Saskatchewan public health officials are on the alert for any appearance of the virus. Mumps is an infection caused by a virus. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and the Public Health Ministry of Canada issued public releases about the mumps virus on March 1 in response to the outbreak.
“We haven’t had any cases in Saskatchewan as yet,” said Dr. Mark Vooght, chief medical officer of the Five Hills Health Region. He noted prevention is the best measure that people in Saskatchewan can take, and suggested three key ways to protect against mumps. “The first step is to review your immunization record.” Those born before 1970 have natural immunity. Mumps was a common childhood illness before vaccine became available in 1970. Those born after 1970 need to have received two shots of the MMR (measles-mumps-Rubella) vaccine. “The vaccine is freely available to children 0-18 months.”
The spike in mumps cases now may seem high, but he added mumps used to be much more prevalent in Saskatchewan 30-35 years ago. With the advent of the MMR vaccine, this number has been reduced. He also speculated that the rise in cases is likely due to more people traveling and allowing the virus to spread. More people may also be susceptible now for the virus to propagate in the community. Immunization protection varies from person to person and it is not 100 percent. Some could still get an asymptomatic infection and spread the virus to other people.
“We don’t have cases yet but some of our sports teams have been playing against other sports teams outside the province, Manitoba and Alberta. And they have had players with mumps already,” he added. The NHL has also been hit by a spate of players with mumps. Nine players have been diagnosed with mumps so far. Alberta junior hockey leagues are banning handshakes after games to avoid spreading the virus.
Saskatchewan public health wants to warn the public now to prevent the outbreaks seen elsewhere in Canada. Manitoba has had 184 cases of mumps since September 1, 2016, with eight recent cases between February 22 and March 3. Alberta Health Ministry has confirmed 18 cases of mumps to date.
