The Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has issued warnings of possible exposure to the mumps virus during air travel. Mumps can be spread by airborne exposure from people coughing and sneezing. Presumably, it can also be spread by hand to mouth contact with infected surfaces. As of April 11, 2006, the CDC had reports of two potentially infectious travelers who had flown on a variety of flights operated by Mesaba Airlines, Northwest Airlines, American Eagle, and American Airlines between March 26 and April 2. It is likely that the number of infected air travelers will increase, at least in the short term, given that the disease is now spreading. The CDC is recommending that fellow travelers reduce their chances of infection with the mumps vaccine. The CDC is also recommending that people monitor themselves for symptoms within 21 days of air travel. On October 27, 2006, the CDC published an update that summarizes information on all reported mumps cases in the United States during 2006.
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