Health officials in Iowa and Nebraska are investigating what appears to be two separate outbreaks of mumps. The outbreaks are cause for concern in both states as they were reported almost simultaneously and in relatively close proximity.
There are eight cases confirmed or suspected in northwest Iowa and 20 cases in eastern Nebraska. The Iowa cases are all in young adults associated with Dordt College in Sioux Center, about 40 miles north of Sioux City, while the Nebraska cases are all connected to a high school alumni event in Columbus, about 90 miles west of Omaha.
Mumps symptoms may include: fever, headache and swollen glands but it can cause deafness, sterility in men and in some cases death.