Mumps Case Investigated In Pottstown School District

POTTSTOWN, PA — A case of mumps involving a student in the Pottstown School District is being investigated by county health officials, Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez announced on Friday afternoon.

The student, a third-grader at Franklin Elementary School, had received the appropriate vaccinations, the district said.

The student will be isolated from all group settings. Any child that exhibits mumps symptoms is removed from groups for five days following the onset of symptoms, or until symptoms dissapear.

>>Mumps Spreading Across Philadelphia Region, 100 Cases Reported

It's just the latest in a resurgent outbreak of mumps that began at Temple University last month and has spread to more than 100 victims in schools around Philadelphia, Montgomery and Chester counties.

In a letter sent home to parents, Rodriguez urged all parents to ensure their child had received the age-appropriate MMR vaccine.

Vaccines cannot prevent mumps from taking hold if exposure has already occurred, but it can protect against future exposure.

Mumps is often spread by saliva, especially through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include headache, fever, painful salivary glands, tiredness, and muscle aches. Complications can include inflammation of the brain, meningitis, and more.