The number of confirmed mumps cases has increased to 557 throughout the state for the year, including 450 cases on Oahu, 61 on Hawaii Island, 44 on Kauai and two on Maui, according to the state Department of Health’s weekly update Thursday.
Getting an MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination is being advised by state health officials. The state also recommends booster shots for anyone who has had one dose but hasn’t been vaccinated in more than five years and anyone who has had two doses but hasn’t been vaccinated in more than 10 years.
“Due to the current mumps outbreak in Hawaii, in addition to the routine vaccination recommendations … persons born in 1957 or later, especially those who live or work in crowded conditions, should receive an additional MMR vaccine dose now,” said the DOH.
College students, health care workers and international travelers, in particular, are advised to make sure they’ve had two MMR vaccine doses, one of which is recent.