Mumps Outbreaks Associated with Correctional Facilities, Texas, 2010

Background:  From 2000-2009, the average incidence of mumps in Texas was 26 cases per year. As of November, over 90 cases have been reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 40 of which were related to two outbreaks in the correctional system. The outbreak at Facility A started in July and spread to Facility B. In September, Facility C reported 9 mumps cases with no relation to Facility A or B.

Objectives: To control the transmission of mumps within the correctional system and to prevent the spread of mumps from correctional facilities to the wider community.

Methods:  Inmates with mumps were placed in isolation for at least five days. Inmates that were in close contact with a case during the infectious period were placed in cohorted quarantine and vaccinated with the measles-mump-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Staff that worked in exposed areas were vaccinated and recommended to be placed on restricted work duties. Exposed inmates that left the facility were identified and control measures instituted depending on their location.

Results:  Fifty-three inmates exposed to the initial cases at Facility A had been sent to 7 facilities around the state. Only one facility (Facility B) subsequently identified mumps cases. Three cases had transferred from Facility A and one appeared to be due to transmission within Facility B. Twenty-six cases were diagnosed in Facility A, but there was only one possible community case related to Facility A reported. At Facility C, after the initial cases were identified, all staff and inmates were vaccinated with MMR. No additional cases were identified.

Conclusions:  Controlling mumps in a correctional setting can be difficult given the close quarters of inmates and the frequent movement of inmates between and within facilities. Vaccination and quarantine may have prevented transmission throughout the state correctional system and the community at large.