The Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit are investigating one confirmed case and one suspect case of mumps. Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease that is caused by the mumps virus.

Mumps typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, followed by swelling of salivary glands (located in the area between the neck and jaw, below the ears) on one or both sides. Symptoms may appear from 12–25 days after you are infected.

REMARKS BY: The Minister of Health The Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP,

Today, I would like to discuss vaccine preventable diseases, and the importance of getting vaccinated, particularly in the setting of the current active flu season.

Immunization is vital to public health and it is a priority for the Ministry of Health . . . we must protect our population against vaccine-preventable diseases. This is very important for Bermuda and an integral part of communicable disease control world-wide.

The Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit is encouraging the public to take precautions against Influenza (the flu), as there is currently a rise in numbers and in the severity of flu cases recorded on the island.