Temporary Closure of Inpatient Ward due to Mumps Virus Reinfection in Elderly Patient

Abstract

We report a case of suspected reinfection with the mumps virus in an elderly patient which resulted in temporary closure of an inpatient ward. A 65-year-old man with colorectal cancer was admitted to the digestive surgery ward at our hospital to undergo a stoma closure operation. He was subsequently referred to our department with right swelling in the preauricular region on postoperative day 4. The swelling subsided within a few days, and the patient was discharged. A serum titer test revealed a high level of antibodies to the mumps virus, however. Therefore, staff who had come into close contact with the patient were examined and the decision taken to stop admitting new patients to the ward. When symptoms are detected in a patient has already had mumps, it is important to consider the possibility of reinfection. Furthermore, it is necessary for medical workers to undergo a serum antibody test to the mumps virus and receive a further vaccination if antibody levels are too low to confer immunity.