The Washington State Department of Health has identified a total of 738 mumps cases in the state as of April 5, a 114 case increase since March 15.
The case count includes both confirmed and probable infections related to an outbreak that began in October 2016. The outbreak has affected residents across 13 counties, with the majority of cases occurring in Spokane and King County. Twenty-eight students at the University of Washington in Seattle have also contracted the virus.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
The mumps are best known for painful, swollen salivary glands. It is a highly contagious virus transmitted through person-to-person contact and is typically accompanied by initial symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.
In recent months, a renascent outbreak of the mumps has infected more than 2,800 people in Arkansas.
More articles on infection control:
Study: More than 20% of US adults have cancer-causing HPV
Surprise state inspection finds linen storage issue at UPMC Shadyside
NIH branch names recipients for 2017 HIV research awards