Detection of RNA of mumps virus during an outbreak in a population with a high level of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine coverage.

The duration of mumps virus RNA detection was studied during a mumps outbreak in a highly vaccinated university population. Seven of the eight reverse transcription-PCR-positive specimens were collected during the first 3 days of parotitis, suggesting that viral shedding is minimal after the first 3 days of symptoms.