Update to Informational Letter #56, “Mumps Outbreak in Maine”

INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO: 59
POLICY CODE: JLCB

TO: Superintendents of Schools, Private Schools, Special Purpose Private Schools, and School Nurses
FROM: Commissioner Susan A. Gendron, Department of Education
DATE: November 30, 2007
RE: Update to Informational Letter #56, “Mumps Outbreak in Maine”

Maine is currently experiencing an outbreak of mumps, a highly contagious viral infection spread through respiratory droplets, or through direct contact with infected saliva. The most common symptom is swelling of the cheeks and jaw due to inflammation of one or both of the saliva glands near the ear and back of the jaw (parotitis). While most people experience uncomfortable symptoms for about ten days and fully recover, complications can occur. These complications include: meningitis, encephalitis and infertility.

This letter should serve as a reminder that in accordance with school law, all children in grades K-12 must have proof of 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination or acceptable evidence of immunity against the disease in order to be present in school. Unvaccinated students will be excluded from school in the event of a mumps outbreak.

Parents do have the option to write a letter requesting their child be exempt from this law on very specific grounds (religious, philosophical or medical) defined in the law. See 20-A MRSA § 6355. If parents are granted an exemption, the law clearly states that the unvaccinated child will be excluded from school if there is evidence of mumps disease in the school or the child’s community. See 20-A MRSA § 6306. Under such circumstances, the unvaccinated child will be excluded from school until such time as the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) determines it is safe for the child to return to school. However, at a minimum, any child not appropriately vaccinated with MMR vaccine will be excluded from school for eighteen (18) days from the onset of symptoms of the last identified case. Every new case of mumps in a school triggers a new 18 day exclusion.

For further information, please contact Nancy Dube, School Nurse Consultant, DOE, at 624-6688 or mailto:nancy.dube@maine.gov or please contact Kathleen Mahaleris, Comprehensive Health Planner I, DHHS, at 287-3746 or mailto:kathleen.mahaleris@maine.gov