CHANDLER, AZ — Two cases of mumps have been confirmed, including one student at Hamilton High School, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health said Monday.
On Tuesday, health officials said a second case was also confirmed in Maricopa County involving "an adult with a common exposure to the student at Hamilton." They said the adult is not a Hamilton High School staff member.
In a letter home to parents, county health officials said the viral disease is spread through the air by coughing or contact with bodily fluids from the mouth, nose, or throat.
Symptoms include swelling and tenderness of one or more of the saliva glands around the neck and jaw. A low-grade fever typically precedes the swelling by two or three days, along with muscle aches a lack of appetite and headache.
Parents who believe their child may have contracted mumps are asked to advise their healthcare provider before showing up at their office, so other patients are not exposed. If mumps is diagnosed, parents are asked to notify the school's nurse. Students may return to school on the 6th day after the onset of gland swelling.
Children typically receive their first vaccination against mumps at 12 to 15 months old, and a second vaccination around the age of four or five.
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The vaccine is highly effective, though it is possible for immunized individuals to still contract mumps, according to MCDPH.
In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, officials said if they do not see an additional case of mumps by March 22, the outbreak is likely over.
According to Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, “if we do not see additional cases of #mumps at Hamilton High by 3/22, the outbreak is likely over.”
— Public Health (@Maricopahealth) March 5, 2019
