Atlanta

Atlanta high school student infected with mumps

By Tyisha Fernandes, WSB-TV
By Tyisha Fernandes, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — Parents, this is a story you need to watch.

Health officials have confirmed that an Atlanta high school student has contracted mumps. The teenager is a student at Grady High School.

Dr. Betsy Bockman, the principal of the school, notified parents with a letter on the school's website and social media on Oct. 18.

School officials sent this note to parents on social media alerting them that a student contracted mumps

Mumps is caused by a virus and is spread through saliva; mucus (from the mouth, nose or throat) via sneezing, talking, coughing or sharing items like cups or utensils; or touching areas with unwashed hands.

The infection is so rare, the federal Centers for Disease Control says Georgia has had fewer than 20 cases all year. Across the country, that number is nearly 1,900.

Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes spoke to some students who said they're upset with how the school is handling the matter.

"People were just kind of joking about it saying, 'Don’t share your water bottles,' and stuff, but it really hasn’t been that big of a deal around the school," student Sophie Peeler said.

When they found out someone at their school had been diagnosed, students told Fernandes they thought school officials would tell them who it was so they would know if they came in close contact with the student.

"There hasn’t really been much awareness about it. The administration and teachers haven’t really told us about it," another student said.

When Fernandes went to the Department of Public Health and a Fulton County health agency, they told her they can't legally tell her anything about the student with mumps, not even if that student has been vaccinated or not, because he's a minor.

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