Appeal Tribune Wednesday, December 14, 2016 3A
CDC: Mumps cases spike in Oregon
LAUREN E HERNANDEZ
STATESMAN JOURNAL
Mumps cases in Oregon have spiked
to their highest levels in a decade, part of
a nationwide increase, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion.
Oregon has 12 suspected mumps
cases this year, the highest number since
22 cases in 2006, according to Oregon
Health Authority statistics.
The spike in mumps cases can be ex-
plained by waning immunity from prior
vaccinations and people being in close
quarters with low vaccinated popula-
tions, said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical di-
rector for communicable diseases and
immunizations at the public health divi-
sion of the Oregon Health Authority.
“The vaccine is not 100 percent pro-
tection, but it’s the best protection from
preventable diseases,” Marion County
health officer Karen Landers said.
As of 2015, Oregon has a 94 percent
vaccination rate for measles, mumps
and rubella for children between 24 and
35 months of age, which is higher than
the national vaccination rate for mumps
of roughly 91 percent.
Nationwide, the CDC reported 2,879
cases of mumps as of Nov. 5 in 45 states
and Washington, D.C.
Cieslak said there was a time where
mumps cases used to pervade communi-
ties, but vaccinations have helped re-
duce those numbers.
One explanation for the spike could be
waning immunity among vaccinated
people, paired with additional opportuni-
ties for exposure in crowded environ-
ments, Cieslak said.
The mumps vaccine, which consists
of two doses that protect against mea-
sles, mumps, and rubella, is 88 percent
effective.
One dose of the vaccine is 78 percent
effective, according to the CDC.
“You go to college 13 or 14 years after
your second dose, you’re in close quar-
ters and then add a little stress to the
mixture, and pretty soon you have a lot of
transmission,” Cieslak said.
Mumps is commonly spread when
people are in close quarters such as liv-
ing in the same dormitory, working in the
same office and exchanging saliva with
someone while sharing utensils, cups or
kissing, according to the CDC.
“We’ve had a cluster of cases in Mar-
ion County that we were trying to snuff
out, which accounts for about half of the
cases,” Cieslak said.
Four cases of mumps have been con-
firmed in Marion County as of October,
which is the highest recorded in the
county during the past decade, said Dr.
Karen Landers, Marion County Health
Officer.
“We’re monitoring to wait for a period
of time for the last case to see if there
was any further transmission,” Landers
said.
Landers said although vaccination is
the best protection for preventable vi-
ruses like mumps, it is never 100 percent
effective.
The higher the exposure setting, or
amount of people in close quarters, the
higher likelihood even vaccinated indi-
viduals could catch the virus.
Landers points to vaccination rates as
an additional factor to the number of
mumps cases in the region.
As of 2015, 95 percent of 2-year-olds in
Marion County were up to date on their
MMR vaccines. In Polk County, roughly
93 percent of 2-year-olds were up to date
on their MMR vaccines, according to the
Oregon Health Authority.
During the 2015-2016 academic year,
the parents of 3.5 percent of Marion
County kindergarten students cited non-
medical exemptions to vaccinations.
Roughly 5.2 percent of Polk County kin-
dergarteners parents cited the nonmed-
ical exemptions during the same time
period, according to the Oregon Health
Authority.
With last year’s passage of Senate Bill
985, parents not wanting to vaccinate
their children for nonmedical exemp-
tions are now required to complete a Cer-
tificate of Immunization Status and Vac-
cine Education Certificate, according to
the Oregon Health Authority.
What does that mean for parents?
Cieslak said parents must complete re-
quired immunization education from a
health care practitioner, or complete an
online vaccine education module.
“It used to be like ‘Johnny can’t go to
school today because he hasn’t had shots’
and parents would just sign an exemp-
tion,’ “ Cieslak said. “Now if parents have
a religious objection, they have to listen
to me talk about diseases and what they
can do to prevent them.”
Both certificates are provided to the
child’s school or child care, and each
medical exemption is reviewed and ap-
proved by the health department. The
bill also requires children’s facilities
such as preschools, Head Start pro-
grams and certified child care programs
to post their immunization rates at their
main offices, on their websites and on pa-
per for distribution to families.
Dr. James Lace, a member of the Ore-
gon Medical Board, said parents who
choose not to vaccinate their children
put their children and other kids at risk
of a preventable disease.
“Starting in January of this year
they’re going to have to seek care else-
where,” Lace said of families choosing
not to vaccinate at his practice at Child-
hood Health Associates of Salem. “We
give patients multiple opportunities to
find care elsewhere and discharge them
from our practice.”
Lace said although the mumps causes
minor side effects like swollen faces and
throats for a few days, there can be seri-
ous complications like inflamed ovaries
in girls, inflamed testicles in boys, and
pancreatitis.
For most cases, though, Lace tells
children to suck on something, put hot
compresses on the jaw, and reminds
them that it passes within a few days.
Cieslak said the best way to prevent
getting what he refers to as “chipmunk
cheeks” is to get vaccinated.
“Although immunity does wane,
you’re still better off with the vaccine
than without it,” Cieslak said.
To schedule an appointment with the
Marion County Health Department to
update your MMR vaccination, call 503-
588-5342. For more information on
mumps,
visit
http://www.cdc.gov/
mumps/outbreaks/outbreak-patient-
qa.html
BRIEFS
Chamber seeks nominations
Silverton Chamber of Commerce is
seeking nominations for four local com-
munity service awards. Nomination
forms can be found at the chamber of-
fice, 426 Water Street, or online at
www.silvertonchamber.org. They must
be submitted by Dec. 23.
Members of the public can turn in
nominations for First Citizen, Lifetime
Achievement, Distinguished Service
and Business of the Year awards. These
winners will be honored at the 46th An-
nual Silverton First Citizen Banquet at
the Festhalle in Mt. Angel on February 4,
2017. The chamber has also invited Sil-
verton-area service clubs and communi-
ty groups to recognize their outstanding
volunteers at the banquet. Those inter-
ested should contact Jan Holowatti at
503-873-0405 to confirm their group’s
participation.
Additionally, Silver Falls School Dis-
trict will honor individual educators and
classified staff at the banquet.
1456 Pine Street, and are opportunities
for the public to hear Christmas and oth-
er holiday music in a local venue. Admis-
sion is free, but donations are accepted.
Mt. Angel to start New Year with
full council after write-in votes
Outgoing Mt. Angel City Councilor
Darren Beyer has agreed to serve four
more years, even though he didn’t run
for reelection.
Beyer received the most write-in
votes from Mt. Angel voters on Nov. 8 af-
ter he declined to file to run for reelec-
tion. His current term expires this
month.
Mayor Andy Otte and Council Chair
Kelly Grassman reported that Beyer has
committed to staying on the council after
he heard the election. The council dis-
cussed plans to appoint him at the Janu-
ary meeting.
Willamette Humane Society
volunteer covers adoption fees
for senior cats in December
Holiday music at the high school
Silverton High School’s choirs will
perform their annual Winter Concert at 7
p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13 in the auditori-
um. The bands’ concert will be at 7:30
p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15.
Both concerts are at the high school,
A Secret Santa is dedicated to helping
cats find homes this Christmas season. A
longtime volunteer at the Willamette
Humane Society has offered to cover
adoption fees this month for all senior
cats, special-needs cats and long-term
resident cats at the shelter.
SPECIAL TO THE STATESMAN JOURNAL
Static is one of the cats hoping to benefit from a donation to cover adoption fees for senior
cats at Willamette Humane Society this month.
Among the felines hoping to reap the
benefits of the gift is Static, an 18-year-
old black cat whose owner suffered
health issues and had to go into a care
home. He’s been waiting at the shelter
for a new home since October.
The adoption offer covers any cat age
6 or older, said Callie Gisler, communica-
tions manager for Willamette Humane
Society. The offer is extended through
Dec. 31 at the shelter, 4246 Turner Road
SE in Salem.
Go to WHS4pets.org to review the
more than 60 cats available for adoption.
The cats eligible for the promotion in-
clude a 10-year-old calico, a 7-year-old
Angora and a 13-year-old seal point Sia-
mese.
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
PHOTOS BY LAUREN HERNANDEZ/STATESMAN JOURNAL
Mother and daughter Chelsia Straight, left, and Cathy Youngern sift through piles of boughs while creating Christmas wreaths
at the Silver Falls State Park Christmas Festival on Saturday.
LOCAL ADVISORS
Salem Area
Crafts
Vin Searles
Jeff Davis
Keizer Area
Sheryl Resner Bridgette Justis
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Continued from Page 1A
Michael Wooters Garry Falor Mario Montiel
ents and my nephew to enjoy another day at Silver
Creek Falls.”
As children banged away at wood in the white bird-
house tent just outside of the South Falls Lodge, one
family representing three generations weaved leaves
together for Christmas wreaths.
Chelsia Straight, of Salem, sifted through thick
mountains of leaves with her mother Cathy Youngern
at the wreath making tent, while one of her two daugh-
ters peered over a heavy-blanketed wagon.
“We came last year and she was a little bit too little so
we came out this year and thought she would have some
fun,” Straight said of her 2-year-old daughter Hazel.
While Chelsia Straight and her mother wrapped up
wreaths, her father Paul Youngern watched the babies.
“Spending time with family is the most important,
and we love being able to spend time outdoors is fun,”
Straight said.
Nelson said the festival differs from other Christ-
Surrounding Area
Tim Yount
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South | 503-362-5439 West | 503-588-5426 Keizer | 503-393-8166 Silverton | 503-873-2454
Derek Gilbert Chip Hutchings
Walt Walker
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Stayton | 503-769-4902
Caitlin Davis Tim Sparks
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Brothers Ryan, 4, and Logan Dieterle, 8, hammer nails into
their homemade birdhouses on Saturday.
mas events because it’s held in the state park, where
families are surrounded by wildlife.
“They get to come out into the woods as opposed to
merely seeing Santa in the mall,” Nelson said.
OR-0000382344