Mumps Investigation for Local Health Departments

Mumps Testing Update

January 17, 2007  

Both CDC and the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory have found both PCR testing and culture for the mumps virus to be insensitive. Therefore, until further notice, we recommend serologic testing when trying to confirm a diagnosis of mumps.

CDC is currently offering to test, at no charge, serum from patients with unexplained parotitis for anti-mumps IgM and IgG antibody. Serologic testing is available at commercial labs as well, and results may be available more quickly.

The first (acute) serum specimen should be collected within 5 days of illness onset and tested for IgM antibody. If this test is negative, a second (convalescent) serum specimen for IgM antibodies should be collected 2–3 weeks after onset of signs (e.g., parotitis) or symptoms; delay in the rise of IgM titers has been observed in patients with confirmed cases of mumps—especially in vaccinated persons. The paired serum specimens also can be used to detect a significant rise in IgG antibody levels.

1. Notify the on-call State Public Health Division epidemiologist (971-673-1111) when a specimen in your county will be sent to CDC.
2. Collect and ship specimens according to instructions available at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/mumps/faqs-lab-spec-collect.htm.
3. Make sure that a completed CDC submission form is sent with the specimen. Forms are available at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/mumps/lab-form-5034.pdf
4. Have the specimen sent directly to CDC for faster turnaround. Costs of shipping must be borne by the patient, ordering physician, lab, or local public health department.
5. The on-call State Public Health Division epidemiologist will notify CDC laboratorians and an epidemiologist in the State Immunization Program that an Oregon specimen is being sent for mumps testing.
6. CDC will send the results to the State Immunization epidemiologist, who will advise local public health department officials, and, if indicated, the ordering physician.

Oregon Health Division mumps investigation resources

• Mumps reporting form
• Mumps Investigative Guidelines  

General information about mumps in Oregon

• Mumps homepage
• Frequently asked questions about mumps
• Mumps in a healthcare environment

• CDC's mumps page
  
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