The Washington State Department of Health (WSDH) has reported 129 mumps cases through Friday, including 111 in King County and twelve in Pierce County. This has prompted health officials to urge the public to ensure your vaccinated.
In addition to King and Pierce counties, five cases have been reported in Spokane and one in Yakima counties.
In King County, of the 111 cases, 39 are confirmed and 72 are considered probable. Three-quarters of those infected are in children 17 year of age and younger and seven out of 10 cases are reported as up-to-date on MMR vaccine.
The breakdown of residence in King County is as follows: Algona (1), Auburn (88), Bellevue (1), Black Diamond (1), Covington (2), Federal Way (5), Kent (6), Pacific (3), Renton (1), Seattle (2) and Des Moines (1).
Mumps symptoms include swollen or tender salivary glands, swollen or tender testicles, low fever, tiredness and muscle aches. People usually develop symptoms 14-18 days after being exposed to the virus that causes mumps, but it can be as long as 25 days. Anyone suspected of having mumps should stay home while they’re contagious – five days after swollen glands occur.
Mumps is spread through coughing and sneezing and sharing cups and utensils. While vaccination is the best protection against mumps, even people who are vaccinated can become infected. People should also prevent spreading mumps and other illnesses by covering coughs and sneezes, washing their hands frequently with soap and water, and not sharing food and drinks.
Through Dec. 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received 5,151 reports of mumps cases.
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