Residents say that children under the age of 15 in Htaykho village, located in the western part of Hpruso Township, are experiencing widespread cases of mumps.

A local woman from Htaykho said the outbreak began during the second week of May and is still continuing.

“The cheeks become swollen, and both sides of the neck swell as well. The glands inside become painful and swollen, so it is very noticeable,” she explained.

Nearly every child in the village has experienced mumps. Some patients have been receiving treatment at clinics, but others are unable to go because fuel prices are too high, which makes transportation difficult.

In Hoya village, displaced residents said mumps cases had occurred in previous months, but the situation has now improved.

“About one or two months ago, many children got infected. One or two adults also caught it. But now it has become calmer, and we don’t hear about new cases anymore,” said a displaced man sheltering in Hoya.

Besides western Hpruso, some displacement camps in Demoso Township had also experienced mumps outbreaks. At present, residents report that some camps are still seeing new cases.