Thiruvananthapuram: Mumps, a contagious viral disease, is spreading rapidly among school students in Kerala. More than fifty new cases are being reported daily in the capital city alone, particularly in schools across the district.
Two doctors from the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital have also contracted mumps. It is believed they were infected while treating patients in the outpatient department (OP). The doctors have been on leave for over ten days due to the illness.
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Health experts suggest that a new variant of the mumps virus may be spreading, potentially due to climate change. This new strain appears to have varying levels of severity and can affect both children and adults. Usually, mumps primarily affects children under the age of ten, but now adults are also becoming susceptible to the disease.
Mumps causes inflammation of the salivary glands and can lead to serious complications like hearing loss and brain inflammation if left untreated. Vaccination against mumps was previously administered to children, but there has been a gap of eight years since the last round of vaccinations. Experts urge people not to delay treatment, as early intervention can prevent complications.
Published: 13 Dec 2024, 09:54 am IST
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