Graph of 898 mumps cases among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees from September 2018–August 2019, listed by custody status at time of exposure and by week of onset.
PHOENIX — In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began a coordinated national outbreak response to combat mumps cases within migrant detention facilities.
Now, the agency has issued its initial findings.
The CDC reports almost 900 confirmed and probable mumps cases among migrants in 57 detention facilities over the past year.
That sample covers less than one-fifth of the 315 sites that house detainees. Most of the sites studied are private facilities or county jails.
Incubation studies suggest four-fifths of patients were exposed while in U.S. custody.
Mumps outbreaks are currently ongoing in 15 facilities in seven states, but frequent transfers complicate the picture.
The CDC says facilities should follow state and local health department regulations. Additionally, they should offer vaccines to at-risk staff and detainees.
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