The report of a possible mumps case at Great Bend High School Friday led to a few hectic days for local school and health officials. However, Barton County Health Director Shelly Schneider said the story ended well.

“It had a happy ending,” she told the Barton County Commission Monday morning, although it was a little less than exciting. This was not considered an outbreak since it takes two cases to reach that designation.

“It was an interesting day,” said commission Chairman Jennifer Schartz, who also serves as public information director for Unified School District 428. 

However, she praised the cooperative spirit. “The school district and the county worked very well together.”

“It was refreshing,” Schneider said of the effort that involved her department, the district, high school officials and the school nurse.

Schneider said she received the call from the school nurse at 3:30 p.m. Friday, after all the kids had gone home. “The Kansas Department of Health and Environment requires that all suspected cases be treated as if it were mumps.” 

Then, on Saturday, parents and guardians were notified of the case via an email from Schneider and USD 428 interim superintendent Khris Thexton. Next was a flurry of phone calls from worried parents.

Not only did this arise on a weekend, but Monday was Presidents Day and the Health Department was scheduled to be closed. But, Schneider said her staff came in on Saturday to field the calls and the office also opened from 4-6 p.m. on Monday to give vaccinations. 

“Those who needed the vaccine came in and got the vaccine,” Schneider said. Fortunately, those who had come in contact with the student who had the suspected case were up to date on their shots.

Mumps can be prevented with MMR vaccine. This protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. 

The Centers for Disease Control recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults also should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.

Barton County is in good shape when it comes to the mumps vaccination, Schneider said. The county has an 80 percent immunization rate.