World Report: April 21, 2006 Vol. 11 Iss. 24
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
The Mumps Hits the Midwest
Iowa has come down with the mumps. As of April 12, 605 known or suspected mumps cases had been reported to the Iowa Department of Health. It is the biggest outbreak to hit the United States in nearly 20 years.
Many of those infected are college students living in close quarters. The mumps can be spread by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever and swollen glands. The virus usually goes away on its own after about 10 days. A mumps vaccine prevents most cases.
Nebraska, Kansas and four other states have also reported a rise in mumps cases. Health officials are working to figure out how the virus spread from Iowa to other states. One theory: Two sick airline passengers unknowingly took the illness on a trip.
