Mumps Outbreak in a Marshallese Community - Denver Metropolitan Area, Colorado, 2016-2017

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Mumps outbreaks disproportionately affected the Marshallese population in multiple US states during 2016-2017.
• An initial cluster of mumps cases was identified in a Marshallese community in the Denver metropolitan area in January 2017.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and control a mumps outbreak within the Marshallese community in the Denver metropolitan area.
• To implement public health interventions to prevent further spread.

Main Methods:

• Active and passive surveillance were employed for case identification.
• Collaboration between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Tri-County Health Department (TCHD), and Denver Public Health.
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccination clinics were organized at local Marshallese churches.

Main Results:

• The investigation identified 17 confirmed and 30 probable cases of mumps.
• 126 individuals received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine through church-based clinics.
• The outbreak was successfully interrupted.

Conclusions:

• Active surveillance and community engagement, particularly with Marshallese church leaders, were crucial for outbreak control.
• Targeted vaccination efforts in vulnerable populations can effectively mitigate infectious disease outbreaks.
• Public health collaboration is essential for managing community-level health crises.