24 Jul 2023

Eight cases of mumps have been detected in the Greater Gaborone and Greater Lobatse regions.

A press statement from the Ministry of Health says during its routine surveillance activities, five cases of mumps were detected in Goodhope and three in Gaborone and all cases have been laboratory confirmed as mumps, adding that the cases involve boys aged between six and eight in the two regions.

The statement explains that mumps is caused by a virus and it commonly affects children, causing salivary glands to swell on both sides of the face.

The statement says: “It spreads through contact with saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person. 

The infected person can also spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, talking, sharing items such as eating utensils with others and touching objects and surfaces with unwashed hands.”

It clarifies that mumps symptoms are usually mild, but can be severe if there are complications.

It explains: “They range from loss of appetite, generalised discomfort and fever to swelling in one or both sides of the jaws (the salivary glands in front of the ears), there can also be pain or tenderness along the angle of the jaw.”

It further points out that although there is generally no cure for mumps, in the absence of complications, patients should recover in a week or two.

Meanwhile, the ministry has activated its rapid response teams across the country for quicker detection of any more suspected cases.

The ministry advises the public not to panic, but to be quick to isolate any children showing symptoms and to immediately alert health officials. ENDS