Midwest Mumps Outbreak Continues to Spread

HealthDay News
Forbes
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The outbreak of mumps striking the Midwest -- the largest number of cases to hit the United States in two decades -- continues to spread, according to federal officials.
There have been more than 1,000 cases reported so far; the bulk of them, 815, have been in Iowa. The remaining cases have been reported in seven other states -- Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, according to latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The disease has been seen largely among people in their late teens and early 20s, officials said at a news conference Wednesday.
"This is the largest outbreak of mumps that we have seen in this country in more than 20 years," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding. "There have been more than 1,000 cases reported from more than eight states. There are ongoing investigations in seven more states," she added.
So far, 20 people have been hospitalized with mumps, Gerberding said.
Apr 20, 2006