New Case Of Mumps Investigated In Montgomery County

ABINGTON, PA — The local outbreak of mumps has now spread to Abington High School, health officials said Friday.

A new case involving a student is currently under investigation. The news comes the day after a case was confirmed at West Chester University, with recent strains also found elsewhere in Montgomery County and, of course, Temple University.

School and health officials urge parents to ensure all children are vaccinated with measles, mumps, and rubella shots, and to remain vigilant for potential symptoms of mumps.

The school community was notified in a letter sent home on Thursday, which urged parents to keep any children with mumps symptoms isolated from any group activities for five days.

The highly infectious disease is passed through saliva and respiratory secretions. Sharing food, beverages, or eating utensils with infected individuals can spread the illness. The incubation period for mumps is 12 to 25 days, but symptoms often appear 16 to 18 days after exposure.

There's no word yet if the Abington case is tied to the Temple or West Chester cases.

Symptoms are similar to the flu and include tender swollen glands below the ear and along the jawline on one or both sides of the face and neck, headache, fever and cold-like symptoms.

See related coverage:

• Mumps Case Confirmed At West Chester University
• Mumps Outbreak Expands To Montgomery County: Officials
• Close Temple Temporarily During Mumps Outbreak, Petition Says