Mumps Outbreak in a Marshallese Community - Denver Metropolitan Area, Colorado, 2016-2017

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018 Oct 19;67(41):1143-1146. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6741a2.

Abstract

In January 2017, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) identified four epidemiologically linked cases of mumps among persons from a Marshallese community who were members of the same church in the Denver metropolitan area. During 2016-2017, sizable outbreaks of mumps reported in Arkansas, Hawaii, and Washington also affected the Marshallese population (1). CDPHE, the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD), and Denver Public Health collaborated to conduct an outbreak investigation during January-March 2017 using active and passive surveillance that identified 17 confirmed and 30 probable cases. Public health actions included conducting measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination clinics at local Marshallese churches; these resulted in the vaccination of 126 persons with ≥1 doses of MMR vaccine. Implementation of active surveillance and support from local Marshallese church leaders in promoting vaccination programs likely contributed to interruption of the outbreak.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Colorado / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Measles virus / genetics
  • Measles virus / isolation & purification
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Mumps / epidemiology*
  • Mumps / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy
  • Public Health Practice
  • Religion
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine