MUMPS
Mumps is a contagious disease that spreads easily from person to person. Mumps infection can lead to serious complications, such as hearing loss. Although mumps is rare, infections can still happen in places where people are in close contact with each other such as schools, colleges, and camps. The mumps virus is spread in saliva droplets when an infected person is coughing, sneezing or sharing utensils with other people. There is no treatment for mumps. Vaccination is the first line of defense against the mumps virus.
The Waukesha County Public Health Division is working with schools to encourage proper MMR vaccination among their student population. As part of the childhood immunization program the first dose of MMR vaccine is given between 12 – 15 months of age and the second dose before entering school, at 4 – 6 years. The Wisconsin Immunization Law requires students in pre-K (ages 2 – 4) to have 1 dose of MMR recorded; students in 5K through 12th grade are required to have 2 doses of MMR on file.
When a mumps exposure occurs in the school, the Waukesha County Public Health Division will work with school personnel to manage cases and communicate with parents regarding mumps exposure and education. Students without proof of age-appropriate vaccinations will be isolated from attending school beginning day 12 – 25 after exposure.
Mumps Information from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Mumps Fact Sheet:
DHS - English Version
DHS - Spanish Version
Mumps School Template Letter (English)
Disease Specific Information Home Page
