The mumps outbreak in Spokane County, Washington has tripled in the past week with the number of confirmed and probable cases rising from 10 to 31 since we last reported last week.
The bulk of the cases (23) have been reported in individuals ages 10-29. In addition, 23 patients were vaccinated, one was unvaccinated, while the remaining patients vaccination status is unknown.
Statewide, Washington is experiencing one of the most active mumps outbreaks this month with the case tally over 180. King County accounts for 130 o these cases.
Spokane County health officials say
Most people have immunity to the mumps through vaccination, so the risk to the general community of getting mumps is extremely low. But with confirmation of mumps virus in Spokane County, the health district is advising individuals to check their children’s and their own vaccination status and verify that they are up-to-date with the measles-mumps- rubella (MMR) vaccine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mumps is a viral illness that is transmitted by direct contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person. It is best known for painful, swollen salivary glands that show up as puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. Boys may also have painful, swollen testicles. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscles aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. There is no treatment, and symptoms usually resolve themselves within a few weeks. Mumps is usually a mild disease in children, but adults may have more serious disease with complications.
Related:
- Washington mumps cases top 100, Does the mumps vaccine work?
- Arkansas, mumps and the MMR vaccine: A discussion with Dr Dirk Haselow
- Arkansas mumps outbreak rises, ‘Strain may have evolved enough to surmount the vaccine’
- Vaccine exemptions and other legal matters with Prof. Dorit Rubinstein Reiss
