Monthly Mumps Outbreak Summary for WA (PDF)
Specimen Handling Guidelines (PDF)
Mumps information in other languages
Mumps outbreak in Washington State
Mumps has spread and health officials urge immunization. The Washington State Department of Health reminds people across the state to take precautions to help stop the spread of mumps.
It's especially important for you to take precautions during winter holiday social gatherings. Avoid kissing, hugging and other close contact with anyone who is suspected of having mumps. If you have been exposed to mumps and feel ill, stay home to help prevent the spread of the disease and contact your healthcare provider. If you don't have a healthcare provider, call your local health department or the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
| County | Cases* |
|---|---|
| Benton County | 6 |
| Ferry County | 3 |
| Grant County | 45 |
| King County | 313 |
| Kitsap County | 2 |
| Okanogan County | 3 |
| Pend Oreille County | 3 |
| Pierce County | 62 |
| Skagit County | 17 |
| Snohomish County | 87 |
| Spokane County | 333 |
| Stevens County | 1 |
| Thurston County | 6 |
| Whatcom County | 5 |
| Yakima County | 5 |
| Total | 891 |
| * Confirmed and probable cases in WA as of September 13, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. | |
| No further updates are planned. The most recent onset for a mumps case in Washington was August 11, 2017. | |
What can you do to prevent the spread of mumps?
The best protection against mumps is the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella viruses.
- If you don't think you ever had MMR vaccine or MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella/chickenpox), contact your healthcare provider for immunizations or a blood test as soon as possible. If you don't have a healthcare provider, call your local health department or the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
- If you think you have been exposed to mumps, contact your healthcare provider for advice.
- If you become ill after a possible exposure to mumps:
- Contact your healthcare provider and ask to be evaluated for possible mumps.
- Protect other people - Stay away from other people to avoid exposing them to mumps.
- To find out if there are special recommendations in your community, contact your local public health department.
Information
For Parents and the Public
- Mumps general information (learn more about who is at risk, symptoms, and prevention)
- Learn about the MMR vaccine
- Mumps Vaccine: Our Best Protection flyer (PDF)
- Outbreak-related questions and answers about mumps (CDC)
- Mumps information in different languages (Seattle King County)
- Find a local health department
- Immunization forms and publications
- Mumps information for travelers
For Schools
- School Vaccine Requirements
- Immunization Forms and Publications
- Mumps Webinar Slides (PPTX) (1/10/17)
- Mumps Webinar Certificate of Completion (PPTX)
- Mumps Webinar Questions and Answers (PDF)
For Health Care Providers
- Mumps is a notifiable condition (PDF)
- Mumps Outbreak Toolkit for Health Care Providers (PDF)
- Laboratory Confirmation by IgM Serology
For Local Health Jurisdictions
For Tribal Communities
What is DOH doing?
The Department of Health is coordinating disease investigation and prevention activities for the multi-county mumps outbreak. We are providing:
- Laboratory testing,
- Disease investigation services, and
- Resources and services to support counties where the illnesses are happening
Our goal is to stop the spread of mumps to protect the people of our state.