Puyallup Schools See Second Mumps Case

PUYALLUP, WA - A second case of mumps has emerged in the Puyallup School District, this time at Edgemont Junior High School.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced last week that a female student at Northwood Elementary School was confirmed to have the virus. In addition to announcing the mumps cases, the health department is working with the district to keep un-vaccinated or under-vaccinated students out of school to prevent further spread of mumps.

Beginning on Jan. 16, potentially 13 of Northwood's 386 student may be kept home due to their vaccination status. On Jan. 17, potentially seven of Edgemont's students may be kept out of school.

Health officials believe both the Puyallup students were exposed to the virus outside of school.

Puget Sound is in the midst of a large mumps outbreak, a virus that causes flu-like symptoms, as well as occasional marked swelling of the head, face, and neck. The outbreak originated in the Auburn area, and most local cases - close to 100 - are in that city.

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