Thousands of Cheerleaders May Have Been Exposed to Mumps. What Parents Need to Know.
9 quick facts from Doc Smitty
The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a letter warning parents and cheerleaders from 39 states and nine counties that they may have been exposed to mumps at a cheerleading competition last month in Dallas.
The Dallas Morning News reports that person from another state who had mumps traveled to Dallas for the National Cheerleaders Association All-Star National Championship, which took place Feb. 23-25 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
At this point no Texas residents have developed mumps in connection with the case, but people are urged to watch for symptoms.
This is another reminder about the value of vaccination in preventing what can be serious illness. Mumps cases decreased 99 percent after the introduction of a successful strategy for vaccination.
Here's a quick look at mumps cases over the years according to the CDC:
*Case count is preliminary and subject to change
** Cases as of Jan. 27, 2018 Case count is preliminary and subject to change
Get to know Justin Smith, M.D.
Justin Smith, M.D., is a pediatrician in Trophy Club and the Medical Advisor for Digital Health for Cook Children's in Fort Worth, Texas. He has an active community on both Facebook and Twitter as @TheDocSmitty and writes weekly for Cook Children's checkupnewsroom.com. He believes that strategic use of social media and technology by pediatricians to connect with families can deepen their relationship and provide a new level of convenience for both of their busy lifestyles. Dr. Smith’s innovative pediatric clinic, a pediatric clinic “designed by you,” open now. Click to learn more. To make an appointment, call 817-347-8100.
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JS