In line with an inventory of essentially the most searched questions of 2023, ‘How is mumps unfold in South Africa’ was one of many high search phrases final yr, in line with Google Tendencies.
TRENDING: Important INFO relating to 2024 SASSA fee dates
Due to this we needed to handle it below our Incessantly Requested Questions (FAQs) banner. Due to this fact, what’s mumps, why is it on Mzansi’s thoughts and the way is mumps unfold in South Africa?
WHAT IS MUMPS?
If you happen to’ll recall, again in Could 2023, the Nationwide Institute for Communicable Illnesses (NICD) did affirm an outbreak of mumps in South Africa. Mumps, in any other case referred to as ‘infectious parotitis’, is an acute, painful swelling of the parotid or salivary glands.
ALSO READ: United Kingdom lifts visa necessities for six nations
It’s typically accepted as a illness affecting kids, normally between the ages of 5-9 years outdated. Nonetheless, adults can contract the virus. Adults who’ve had mumps, are normally protected for all times, fortunately.
HOW IS MUMPS SPREAD IN SOUTH AFRICA?

The reply to ‘how is mumps unfold in South Africa’ is a straightforward one. “It’s a virus that’s transmitted individual to individual by direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets of an contaminated particular person”, says the Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
ALSO READ: Making use of for a SASSA Previous-Age Pension in 2024
The infectious interval lasts two to 5 days after onset. The mumps virus has additionally been remoted as much as 14 days in urine and semen. When an individual is sick with mumps, they need to quarantine and keep away from contact with others from the time of analysis for 5 full days. It’s understood that the unfold was brought on by kids who aren’t immunised in opposition to mumps in South Africa.
UNEXPECTED OUTBREAK IN SOUTH AFRICA

Again in Could of 2023, researches noticed an ‘epidemic curve’, following sudden and regular will increase within the variety of positives mumps instances. The variety of instances in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng accounted for almost all and did represent an outbreak.
ALSO READ: How a lot are SASSA grant payouts for 2024?
For now, the communicable illness seems to be below management for 2024, however authorities are monitoring the state of affairs. If you happen to haven’t already, you’re inspired to get your baby immunised for mumps as quickly as doable.
NEXT READ: South Africa’s millionaire civil servants
Do you’ve got any additional questions relating to how is humps unfold in South Africa? You should definitely share your ideas with our viewers within the feedback part under. And don’t neglect to comply with us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Fb for the most recent updates.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES FROM RAY LEATHERN