What infection control procedures are recommended for cases of mumps in a healthcare settings?
A. Nosocomial spread of viruses can occur concurrently with outbreaks in the community. Control of spread of mumps infection is difficult for several reasons a) the prodromal stage of infection b) the infectiveness of the virus and c) a relatively large proportion of asymptomatic cases (about 30%). Therefore, transmission to other susceptible individuals is likely to have occurred before cases are diagnosed. There are only three recent reports of nosocomial transmission of mumps in the published literature. In all three, none of the control measures instituted appeared to be highly effective in preventing onward transmission. Such incidents can be disruptive to staffing, may lead to prolonged in-patient stays, and can cause morbidity in both staff and patients. There is no evidence to suggest that individuals who are immunocompromised are at increased risk of the complications of mumps. Indeed, the only case series in leukaemic patients suggests that mumps may follow a milder course in
A. Nosocomial spread of viruses can occur concurrently with outbreaks in the community. Control of spread of mumps infection is difficult for several reasons a) the prodromal stage of infection b) the infectiveness of the virus and c) a relatively large proportion of asymptomatic cases (about 30%). Therefore, transmission to other susceptible individuals is likely to have occurred before cases are diagnosed. There are only three recent reports of nosocomial transmission of mumps in the published literature. In all three, none of the control measures instituted appeared to be highly effective in preventing onward transmission. Such incidents can be disruptive to staffing, may lead to prolonged in-patient stays, and can cause morbidity in both staff and patients. There is no evidence to suggest that individuals who are immunocompromised are at increased risk of the complications of mumps.
