The number of Auburn residents with mumps has grown to 58, according to Public Health Seattle & King County.
As of Tuesday, the number of cases in King County had increased to 63, of which 12 cases had been confirmed and 51 were probable cases, health officials said.
The number of cases in Kent is two, with Pacific, Federal Way and Black Diamond each with one.
Forty-four mumps cases have been found in children age 17 and younger. Sixty-seven percent of the cases were up to date with Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccination.
Auburn School District notified staff and families after confirmed cases of mumps were identified two weeks ago at Pioneer Elementary, Olympic Middle School, Auburn High School and West Auburn High School.
ASD notified families that children won’t be allowed to return to school until they have at least one dose of the MMR vaccination. Without proof of that, the district will not allow children to return to school for at least 25 days after the last mumps case in ASD is resolved.
The school district, under the guidance of Public Health – Seattle & King County, provided notifications to families as swiftly as possible once confirmed cases of mumps were identified in the district.
The health department advises that there may be cases unrecognized in other schools in King County, as well as in the community in general, and all families need to take precautions:
• Please do not have your child attend school when sick with mumps symptoms (fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen cheeks or jaw);
• see a health care provider if those symptoms develop, and
• be up-to-date on MMR vaccine.
“We strive to provide timely and accurate information to our families,” the school district said. “Please be aware our schools are taking universal precautions to support your child’s healthy classrooms. We will continue to keep you informed as Public Health – Seattle & King County continues to keep us updated. Thank you for supporting our school community.”
If families have any questions or concerns about a child’s health, they are urged to contact their health care providers.
