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| Last updated at 10:05 PM on 13/04/07 |
Health official confirms case of mumps in Colchester County 
BY JOHN CHRISTIANSON
The Truro Daily News
TRURO – An outbreak of mumps in the Halifax region has reached Colchester County. Public health officials confirmed yesterday that one of the 75 cases of mumps is from this area.
“Yes there’s one case that we have so far,” said Melissa MacKinnon, spokeswoman for the Department of Health Promotion and Protection.
MacKinnon could not provide any specifics about the case.
The majority of cases throughout the province are in the 20-25 age group.
“Mumps has previously been seen as a childhood illness. However, it can sometimes lead to more serious illness,” said Dr. Shelly Sarwal, medical officer of health. “That is why it is important for patients to closely follow the instructions of their doctors when they have been diagnosed.”
All physicians are required by law to report cases of mumps to their local public health office so officials can see who else may have been exposed or infected.
Mumps is spread by contact such as coughing, sneezing, sharing drinks and kissing. The virus can be spread for about seven days before symptoms appear and up to nine days after. People should not go to school, work, any public places or participate in social activities during this period.
Pregnant women who get mumps are in danger of having a miscarriage, premature or early labour, and low birth weight babies. Pregnant women who are in contact with anyone with mumps should contact their family doctor.
About 10 students were in voluntary isolation Friday in residence rooms at Dalhousie University in Halifax as officials try to contain the spread of the disease. There have been 24 cases of mumps at Dalhousie so far this year, the second year the institution has had to deal with an outbreak.
The once-rare illness has been occurring more often, particularly among Nova Scotia university students since a case was reported in March at a campus residence.
Two downtown Halifax bars have been alerted by health authorities that some of their staff and patrons may also be at risk.
The most common symptoms of mumps include fever, head and muscle aches, and swollen and tender glands at the angle of the jaw. If you have these symptoms, you should see your family doctor.
To avoid spreading mumps:
– Wash hands often or use hand
sanitizer
– Do not share drinking glasses or
eating utensils
– Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow
For more information on mumps,visit www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/mumps.html.
With CP files
jchristianson@trurodaily.com
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14/04/07
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