Mumps cases soaring in Chisinau

Infectious parotitis is spreading. As many as 187 patients who developed severe forms of the disease are being treated in Chisinau hospitals, said Mihai Moldovan, head of the municipal health department, at a City Hall meeting on Monday, January 21. According to Moldovan, to stop the disease from spreading, vaccination is strongly recommended. The Ministry of Health is now in search for mumps shots. Until then, all the sick persons, especially children, will be offered inpatient care. To cope with the large number of cases, a special ward at the municipal hospital no.4 was readapted to take care of mumps patients, with many others admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital “Toma Ciorba” and the Municipal Infectious Disease Hospital for Children. However, Mihai Moldovan says the situation is under control and no more beds will be needed. Mumps spreads like the common cold, through sneezes and coughs, and from shared surfaces where mucus particles could be left behind and picked up by another person. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 3 weeks. The disease is not usually life threatening, but it can have serious complications like meningitis, myocarditis, and sterility, especially in teenagers. The most common symptoms are the inflammation of the saliva glands, fever and pain from swollen glands. Mumps can be prevented trough measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination received as two shots at the age of 12 months and 6-7 years.