24 Keystone Ski Resort Employees Test Positive For Mumps
KEYSTONE, Colo. (CBS4)- The number of employees with the mumps at Keystone Ski Resort is growing. A total of 24 employees at the ski area who live in employee housing in close quarters have tested positive for mumps.
Health officials in Summit County confirm two people who are not Keystone Ski Resort employees have also tested positive for the disease.
Health officials said there is minimal risk to anyone who has been at the ski resort recently, but they should check their vaccination records.
"This transmission is happening between shared drinks and people who are living in really close quarters," said Keystone Resort Communications Manager Loryn Roberson.
The MMR Vaccine, which covers measles, mumps and rubella is considered 88% effective at preventing mumps from spreading.
Mumps is a viral infection that causes painful swelling in the glands of the cheek and jaw. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, tiredness, loss of appetite and headache. About one-third of people who have the virus don't have symptoms. Rare symptoms can include swollen testicles, meningitis (infection in the spinal fluid), encephalitis (infection in the brain) and loss of hearing.
Mumps is spread from person to person by contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose or throat. People with mumps can spread the illness to others from two days before symptoms start and for five days after. Most people with mumps get better within two weeks with bed rest, fluids and medications to reduce pain and/or fever.
Mumps is a different disease from measles. There are currently no cases of measles in Colorado. Both diseases are prevented by the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective but does not prevent mumps once you have been exposed.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for children, with the first dose at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. Mumps vaccine immunity can decrease over time, so some people who have been vaccinated can get mumps. The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. Adults born before 1957 are generally considered to be immune to mumps and do not need to be vaccinated, but other adults should make sure they have been vaccinated.
Health officials are asking people who have symptoms of mumps to consult with their health care provider or call Summit County Public Health at 970-668-9161.
For more information about mumps, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/mumps. For information about mumps data in Colorado, visit www.colorado.gov/cdphe/mumps.
