Idaho mumps case prompts warning in Coeur d’Alene schools

One mumps case has been confirmed in North Idaho, prompting the Coeur d’Alene school district to issue a notice that unvaccinated children will be required to stay home if an outbreak occurs.

The sick person was an adult over 50, Panhandle Health District spokeswoman Melanie Collins said. That person is no longer contagious and health officials have not identified anyone else infected by that person.

The case is believed to be related to the ongoing mumps outbreak in Spokane, which has 205 confirmed cases as of Thursday. Collins said the health district is preparing for more cases transmitted from Spokane.

“It’s likely just because of the proximity of Spokane County,” she said.

If two or more mumps cases are confirmed in any school, students without proof of two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine will be excluded from school, the district said in an email to parents. Parents whose students have incomplete vaccination records will be notified in the next week, the email said.

Exclusions have already been issued in school districts across Spokane County, and most cases in the county are in school-age children.

People should review their vaccination status and know the signs and symptoms of mumps, which include puffy cheeks, swollen jaw and fever. The Panhandle Health District has free vaccines available and is keeping a page updated with information about cases at panhandlehealthdistrict.org/mumps. Anyone with questions about mumps or the vaccination can call (208) 415-5270.