Number of mumps cases in King County rises again, now at 63

SEATTLE – The number of mumps cases in King County rose yet again Tuesday.

King County Public Health said there are now 63 cases, up from 58 a day earlier.

The number reflects 12 confirmed cases and 51 probable, with 44 of the patients aged 17 or younger.

Most cases are in Auburn, with a few spread around Kent, Federal Way, Pacific and Black Diamond.

Federal Way school district reported Tuesday that it had one infected student.

One Federal Way resident who had been listed as a probable case of the mumps was ruled out.

The outbreak has grown steadily since three cases were confirmed at the end of November.

Mumps is at a 10-year high in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The latest tally as of November 5 is 2,879 cases in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus spread through saliva and mucus. The CDC recommends that children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, but it is not 100% effective.