Clay County Health Department confirms young child diagnosed with probable case of mumps

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A young child in Clay County has contracted a probable case of the mumps, despite being vaccinated.

Action News Jax's Courtney Cole worked with our radio partner, WOKV, to report the latest details.

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The Clay County Health Department is trying to figure out where the child was exposed to the virus.

That can be difficult, because mumps can be spread through coughing, sneezing or even talking — as well as sharing cups and utensils with others.

“I've had the mumps and my granddaughters have been vaccinated against the mumps,” Barbara told Action News Jax.

She say she knows just how important it is to protect yourself against the disease.

Barbara was shocked to hear a young child was diagnosed with mumps in Clay County.

“I'm concerned about the children who haven't been vaccinated,” she said.

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According to the Clay County Health Department, the child did have the vaccine.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps and rubella.

It's given in two doses, once when the child is12 to 15 months old, and again between the ages of 4 and 6.

The health department says this child was 4 or younger.

Dr. Daniel Thimann, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Baptist Health, says vaccines are still essential, even though they're not 100% effective every time.

“It may not necessarily prevent the disease itself, but it will prevent the consequences of that,” Thimann said.

The child is OK and has been allowed to return to day care.

"Day care is a very interesting place for us, because that's where most kids get sick,” Thimann said.

The Clay County Health Department will not release the name of the day care. However, they have been notified about the child's diagnosis.

Cox Media Group