South King County is experiencing a mumps outbreak, and the Vashon Island School District is helping educate parents about the illness in the event it spreads to this community.

Some 54 cases of the disease, caused by a virus, were reported in the area as of last week, primarily in Auburn, but also in Kent, Federal Way and Pacific. At least four probable cases have also occurred in Pierce County and are associated with the illness in King County, public health officials say.

Last week, amid the news of the growing spread of the virus, district nurse Sarah Day sent an email to parents, informing them of the illness, including what to do to prevent it and action to take if someone becomes sick.

“It is absolutely a concern,” she said about the potential spread of the illness.

Day noted that nearly 200 Auburn students who have not been vaccinated against the illness are being required to stay home for 25 days after the last mumps case in that community. Should mumps spread to Vashon, that action is also possible here, she said. That could affect more than 110 students, including 43 students from Chautauqua, 23 at McMurray, 29 at Vashon High School and 18 from FamilyLink and StudentLink.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for Public Health – Seattle &King County, has indicated that people should expect mumps to continue to spread for as long as a few months and into additional counties. In a recent Seattle Times story, he also indicated that those who have not been immunized can’t be blamed for the outbreak, as most of the cases involved those who have been vaccinated.

To prevent mumps, public health officials recommend the basics: get the vaccine (included in the MMR vaccine), stay away from those with the illness, wash hands often and avoid sharing utensils.

Signs of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and swollen cheeks or jaws. If mumps are suspected, call a health provider and ensure that the sick person avoids others, including family members.

Day noted that ensuring school families are in compliance with vaccine requirements has been particularly difficult this year as Neighborcare Health has not been able to provide vaccines. That should be changing soon, as the clinic has just been approved by the state program that provides free vaccines for children and is expecting its first shipment of vaccines this week.