Mumps NHL

About Mumps NHL

The 2014 mumps outbreak in the National Hockey League affected more than a dozen players. Mumps, a vaccine preventable viral disease, spreads through saliva and respiratory droplets. Players shared water bottles, towels, and close locker room contact. The outbreak highlighted that even vaccinated individuals can contract mumps, as vaccine induced immunity wanes over time. The MMR vaccine is given as part of national immunisation schedules, which vary by country, and studies suggest that protection against mumps wanes over time. Mumps outbreaks have occurred in other close contact settings including college dormitories and military barracks. The outbreak drew attention to infection control in professional sports. Mumps complications include orchitis, which can cause infertility, and rarely meningitis and deafness. The NHL outbreak demonstrated that high vaccination coverage alone may not prevent outbreaks in settings with intense close contact and waning immunity. During some outbreaks, public health authorities have offered an additional MMR dose to people in affected settings.