King County, Wash., sees more than 100 cases of the mumps in recent outbreak

Public Health – Seattle and King County is investigating 113 cases of the mumps.

Of the 113 cases, 37 have been confirmed and 76 are considered to be probable. Seventy-five have been identified in school children under 17.

"To reduce the risk of becoming ill, everyone should be sure they are fully vaccinated against mumps with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine," said Jeff Duchin, MD, health officer for King County. "If you or your child develops symptoms of mumps, please see a healthcare provider, even if you have been vaccinated."

The mumps are best known for painful, swollen salivary glands that cause puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. It is a highly communicable disease transmitted by person-to-person contact and is typically accompanied by initial symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.

According to the CDC, mumps outbreaks in the United States hit a 10-year high in 2016.

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