THE Oshana region has been hit by a mumps outbreak.
The highly contagious disease, which is caused by a virus, was detected at Oshakati West Primary School in the region about two weeks ago.
Oshana health director Johanna Haimene yesterday said a team of healthcare officials will be dispatched to the school today to monitor the situation.
Pupils attending the school have been urged to be cautious at all times.
“The outbreak was reported to my office on Friday, however, I cannot divulge any information on the matter, because our health officers are yet to assess the situation at the school.
“We have not gathered any additional information as of yet. More details will be shared tomorrow after inspection at the school,” Haimene said.
About 12 pupils are reportedly affected, and they were last week sent home to recover.
Pupils’ parents and guardians have been asked to provide the children with masks in an effort to minimise the further spread of the disease.
Haimene said the health directorate, together with the school, will be monitoring the situation until the outbreak has been contained, as mumps is highly contagious. The last suspected pumps outbreak in Namibia was reported in September last year when the Erongo regional health directorate issued a warning of a suspected outbreak in the Swakopmund district.
At the time, the chief medical officer of the Erongo region, Dr Leonard Kabongo, said 26 suspected cases were reported in the Swakopmund district as of 9 September – 20 at Swakopmund and three cases each at Arandis and Henties Bay.
Kabongo at the time said symptoms of the virus typically appear 16-18 days after infection.
According to a nonprofit academic medical centre, Mayo Clinic, mumps usually affect the glands on each side of the face.
Symptoms may be similar to flu, including fever, headache, muscle aches, a loss of appetite and tiredness.
The disease is spread through saliva, coughing and sneezing, as well as through touching surfaces where droplets have landed, touching the face, or direct contact, such as kissing.