A significant mumps outbreak has gripped Kerala. The South Indian state reported over 2,500 cases in February and over 11,000 cases in January 2024.
While the Union Health Ministry has acknowledged the outbreak, the National Centre for Disease Control has issued an alert in the state.
Paramyxovirus causes mumps that spread through direct contact or infection or airborne droplets. The symptoms appear two to four weeks after infection.
Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, and swollen salivary glands. Although mumps heal on their own, they can cause severe complications like brain swelling or hearing loss in rare cases.
Currently, most cases are in the Malappuram district and other northern areas.
Notably, there exists a vaccine against mumps, which covers measles and rubella as well.
Health officials and experts have urged the public to take vaccine doses from private centres.