200 detained immigrants in Texas have mumps, Texas Tribune reports


This 1977 thin sectioned transmission electron micrograph depicted the ultrastructural details of the mumps virions that had been grown in a Vero cell culture. (Courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

by: Matthew Prendergast
Posted: Mar 01, 2019 / 12:11 PM CST / Updated: Mar 01, 2019 / 12:11 PM CST


HOUSTON, Texas (KXAN) — Approximately 200 immigrant detainees residing in detention facilities across Texas are suffering from the mumps, the Texas Tribune reports.

The Tribune reports that the Texas Department of State Health had confirmed 178 cases of the mumps among detainees by Feb. 21. They reported an additional five cases among detention center facility employees.

According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 76-percent of mumps cases among immigrant detainees nationwide come from Texas detention facilities.

Earlier in February, Health officials reported seven cases of the mumps were confirmed at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Houston.

Mumps is contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing. Common symptoms are fever, headache, and painfully swollen salivary glands that can cause puffy cheeks. Most people recover within weeks. Outbreaks are rare but have happened in Texas and the Houston region.

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/aust...rts/1820418368