Okanogan County Public Health is reporting one confirmed case of Mumps in an Okanogan County adult. Three cases have been confirmed in Ferry County. A total of 503 cases have been confirmed statewide, with the largest number of cases in Spokane county with 216.
What is Mumps?
A contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. It can cause long-term health problems. The virus is mostly spread by coughing, sneezing or other contact with saliva from someone who is infected. It is as contagious as flu. Those infected with mumps usually are contagious before symptoms appear and for a few days after, so they can spread the virus without realizing it.
There is no treatment for mumps but there is prevention. It’s important for everyone to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the mumps virus.
People born in 1957 and before are considered immune
What can you do to prevent the spread of mumps?
The best protection against mumps is the MMR vaccine (combination MMR and varicella), which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella viruses.
Information
For Parents and the Public