Skagit County, WA – The Skagit County Public Health Department has confirmed three cases of mumps in Skagit County as of February 14th, 2017. One of the cases includes a student in the Mount Vernon School District.
Mumps can easily be transmitted from person to person, so the Skagit County Public Health recommends that non immunized people be excluded from schools to prevent further transmission among the school population. Students and staff may return to school immediately after they have received a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
If you experience symptoms of mumps, which may include swelling and pain in the jaw, fever, headache, earache, tiredness, aching muscles and joints, sore throat, and pain when swallowing or opening your mouth, poor appetite and vomiting, please contact your healthcare provider and inform them of your exposure to mumps regardless of your vaccination status. Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease.
Neck Swelling
Mumps is an extremely contagious infection spread by a paramyxovirus. The virus is found in saliva, and is spread through respiratory droplets (think sneezing and coughing) when people are within three feet of each other. Mumps can also be spread by surfaces people touch, door handles and sharing items with others such as cups, plates, bowls and eating utensils.
People who have not had the two required MMR vaccinations are nine times more likely to contract the illness than those who have received the vaccine.
Skagit County Public Health is working closely with local healthcare partners to monitor and respond to confirmed cases of mumps. The most effective weapon against mumps is vaccination according to Skagit County Public Health.
If you have any further questions, please contact Yeshimebet Tulu at Skagit County Public Health at (360) 416-1500.
Vaccinews.net
Source: Skagit County Press Release/ BronleaMishler
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