Rapid response to a case of mumps: implications for preventing transmission at a medical research facility

Abstract

To prevent transmission among the staff and potentially among the non-human primate (NHP) colony at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment in Peru, where an active case of mumps was discovered in a senior laboratory technician in Sep 03, 2007. Subjects at the research facility were interviewed and potentially susceptible contacts were tested for mumps IgG. In total, 81 out of 106 staff members (76%) had close contact with the case. Only 6/81 (7%) had MMR, 33 (41%) reported having had mumps, and 8 of 45 (18%) of the potentially susceptible individuals did not have immunity (IgG > 20.0). All the susceptible, exposed individuals received MMR vaccine. There were no secondary cases and access to the NHP colony was restricted. Immediate and thorough investigation and occupational health response were imperative in preventing secondary cases of mumps among humans and NHP.