EVERETT — The number of mumps cases in Snohomish County continues to increase.
More than a dozen new cases of mumps have been reported to the Snohomish Health District since March 21. The count has gone from 33 to at least 45, and it’s expected to go higher as the health district processes additional reports.
At least 15 cases are confirmed, and dozens more considered probable. There have been 30-plus cases at local schools.
The Everett, Monroe, Stanwood-Camano and Lakewood school districts have had reports of mumps. The health district recommends that students who have not been vaccinated be excluded from schools with confirmed cases until the 26th day after exposure or until they provide proof that they’ve received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
It appears that most of the sick students had at least one dose of the two-part vaccine, said Heather Thomas with the Snohomish Health District.
Recent cases were at Sequoia High School and Garfield Elementary in Everett, Lakewood High School west of Arlington and the Everett Boys &Girls Club, she said. There may be other locations. Investigating each report is time-intensive, and communicable disease experts in the region are overwhelmed, Thomas said.
Between 2013 and this year, there had been no more than two confirmed cases of mumps per year in Snohomish County.
This year’s local cases are part of a statewide outbreak. There have been nearly 700 cases in Washington, mostly in Spokane and King counties.
Officials aim to investigate why there have been so many reports of mumps this year, Thomas said. They haven’t reached any conclusions.
“A lot of us are just focused on the response,” she said. “We haven’t had time yet to step back and really look at why.”
Mumps is a highly contagious disease known for swelling in the cheeks and jaw. It used to be a common childhood illness. Symptoms include fever, aches and lack of energy or appetite. Though most cases are mild, the illness can cause lasting damage because of brain and tissue inflammation or hearing loss.
The Snohomish Health District set up a webpage at www.snohd.org/mumps with information about the outbreak and tips to prevent the illness.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
