LIVONIA Central School District P.O. Box E Matthew Cole, Superintendent of Schools Livonia, NY 14487-0489 superintendent@livoniacsd.org wnwlivoniacsd.org (585) 346-4000, ext. 4100 Fax: (585) 346-6145, May 17, 2019 RE: Potential Exposure to Mumps. Dear Middle School & High School Families, We are notifying you as a precautionary measure to ensure that you have the medical information needed to monitor your child’s health. Today, we were notified by the Livingston County Public Health Department that a student attending our High School has a confirmed case of mumps. According to medical professionals advising us on this matter, there is alow tisk for our students but there is a chance your child may have been exposed. ‘We are asking that you watch your child for the symptoms identified by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that mumps is a virus that causes painful swelling of one or more salivary glands, a low-grade fever and headache. Typically, persons with mumps have swelling of the gland located in the cheek area near the ear and at the back angle of the jaw. Some people with mumps infection has very little or no gland swelling. (A CDC mumps fact sheet is enclosed & you can also visit -https://www.cde.gov/mumps/index.html.) If your child develops any swelling of the glands around the ears or neck, please keep him or her at home and contact your child’s doctor for medical evaluation before returning to school. Please be reminded that students attending school, childcate, or college in New York State are required to have the mumps vaccine or an exemption to vaccination. Exemptions are very rare and only approved based on religious or medical reasons. Vaccination is the best protection from getting mumps. You would be considered immune only if you have either had the infection previously OR if you have had the MMR vaccination. If your child is not protected against mumps, please contact your physician or Livingston County Public Health to have your child immunized as soon as possible. Please contact Livingston County Public Health at 585-243-7299 or the school nurses with any questions or concerns: Debbie Sanderson, R.N. Judy Heneky, R.N. School Nurse Department Head High School Nurse 346-4000 ext. 2003 346-4000 ext 1018 Sincerely, Ge CA Matt Cole, Superintendent Achieve and Thrive in @ Changing World Matthew Cole, SuperintendentINFORMATION FOR PAREN S SSSR SES RSS | DISEASES and the VACCINES THAT PREVENT THEM | Mumps and the Vaccine (Shot) to Prevent It ate 207 The best way to protect against mumps is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (called. the MMR shot). Doctors recommend that all children get the MMR shot. Why should my child get the MMR shot? ‘The MMR shot * Protects your child from mumps, a potentially serious disease, aswell as measles and rubella, ‘© Prevents your child from geting a fever and swollen glands under the ears oravr from mumps © Keeps your child from missing school or childcare (and keeps you from missing work to care for yout sick child). Is the MMR shot safe? Yes. The MMR shot is very safe and effective at preventing mumps (as well as measles and rubella). Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, But most children who get the MMB shot have no side effects What are the side effects? Most children do not have any side effets from the shot. "The side effects that do occur are usually very mild, suchasa fever, rash, soreness or swelling where the shot was given, or temporaty pain and stiffness in the joints (mostly in teens and adults), More serious side effects are rare, These may include hgh fever that could cause a seizure, Is there a link between the MMR shot and autism? No, Scientists in the United States and other countries have carefully studied the MMR shot. None has founda link between autisin and the MMR shot, What is mumps? ‘Mumps isa contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily through coughingand sneeting, There is no treatment for mumps, andi can cause long-term health problems. What are the symptoms of mumps? ‘Mumps usvally causes the following symptoms for about ? to 10 days: Fever Headache ‘Muscle aches ‘Tiredness Loss of appetite (not wanting to eat) Swollen glands under the ears or jaw Some people who get mumps do not have symptoms, Others say feel sickbut will not have swollen glands, oy LL MS Fines AMERICAN ACADEMY OF American Academy FAMILY PHYSICIANS of PediatricsIsit serious? inmost children, mumpsis pretty mild, But tean cause su ting problems icing ‘© Meningitis (welling of the tissue covering the brain and pinal cord) © Deafness (temporary or permanent) ‘Encephalitis (swelling of the brain) © Orchtis (swelling ofthe testicles) in males who have reached puberty © Oophorits (welling ofthe ovaries) and/or mastitis {swelling ofthe breasts) in females who have reached puberty In rare cases, mumps is deadly. How does mumps spread? ‘Mumps can spread through the saliva or mucus from the ‘month, nose, or throat ofan infected person when he or she: * coughs snectes or talks. © shares items, such as cups or eatingutensils, with others © touchesobjcts or surfaces with unwashed hands that arethentouchedby others. ‘Mumps can spread before wollen glands appear and up to 5 days afterward. Where can! learn more about the MMR shot and my child? To learn moreabout the MMR shot, talkto your child's doctor, call 1-800-CDC-INFO, or visit wwrw.ede gov vaccines/parents,