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Health Dept. issues warning about mumps in Laurel

LAUREL — Last week the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School District announced they are taking precautions against a possible case of the mumps.

The school posted a health advisory on its website, alerting parents and guardians to the possible case in the school district.

The district received the advisory Tuesday from the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department in Wayne.

The  health advisory cautioned area residents that mumps is very contagious, and antibiotics are not a treatment option because mumps is a viral infection. Symptoms such as pain and fever may be treated with over-the-counter medications, the advisory added.

This marks the second time in the last year that Cedar County has been hit with a Mumps scare.

Last August and September several confirmed cases of the mumps were reported in the Hartington area.

In its letter to parents and guardians, the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge district emphasized the mumps case was possible, not confirmed.

“Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department has provided guidance to our school regarding a POSSIBLE case of mumps in our school district,” the advisory said.

“We want to make you aware that extra precautions are being taken at school regarding classroom education and cleaning practices.”

Mumps symptoms include: swelling of the glands in the face and neck, (one side or both), earache, jaw pain, fever, fatigue, testicular pain and/or swelling and general muscle aches.

People who are possibly sick with mumps need to stay home and away from others until five days after the swelling in the face and neck begins. If the swelling continues after that time, continue to stay home until the swelling is gone.

Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), adequately timed, are recommended to protect from mumps.

Women who are pregnant and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of complications.

In response to the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge case, the Nebraska health department advised checking the immunization records of family members and practicing good hygiene habits.

“This is not yet confirmed, but it is important to let you know of the possible presence of the disease so that you can take appropriate precautions,” the advisory said.

“Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department is working with Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School to educate people about the symptoms and prevention of mumps in order to best protect your children and everyone in the community.”

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