MDPH - May 25, 2010. Mumps. The Northeast has been experiencing a large outbreak of mumps that began in the summer of 2009 at a summer camp in New York and was introduced by a visiting camper from Great Britain. The outbreak has primarily affected the Orthodox Jewish community in New York and New Jersey, but has the potential for spread to other groups. There have been over 3,000 cases, some occurring in New England and Canada. Camps should have a heightened awareness of mumps and ensure that campers and staff are appropriately vaccinated. It is particularly important to ensure that campers AND staff from other countries are appropriately vaccinated. This group has been the source for outbreaks of mumps and other vaccine preventable diseases in camps settings. High 2-dose coverage with mumps-containing vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps introduction and spread in your camps. Influenza. An advisory has been sent to all camps in MA about influenza. Like other areas of the country, Massachusetts has experienced a substantial decline in influenza activity for several months. However, sporadic flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, is expected to continue throughout the summer. At this time, far fewer outbreaks are expected than occurred during the summer of 2009. For more information, visit the Advisories, Alerts and Events page of the Mass.gov website.

FDA - May 14, 2010. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today revised its recommendations for rotavirus vaccines for the prevention of the disease in infants and has determined that it is appropriate for clinicians and health care professionals to resume the use of Rotarix and to continue the use of RotaTeq. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm212149.htm