KTKA

Topeka — A case of the mumps has turned up at a Topeka Elementary School

School officials confirm a kindergarten student has come down with the mumps at Avondale East Elementary.

Parents of Avondale students have received letters asking them to immunize their children with the Mumps Measles Rubella vaccine if they haven't done so already.

But some parents wonder why the kids were allowed to go school unvaccinated. They also worry about their children's exposure to the virus.

Rose Roldan lives less than a block away from Avondale East Elementary and has three children that go to school there. She just recently discovered there was a case of the mumps when she heard it on the news.

"I was a little shocked that this had happened at my kids' school," said Roldan.

She and many other parents received a letter confirming a kindergartner had come down with the mumps.

"On Thursday a student complained of a sore throat," Ron Harbaugh said.

After doing some research, the school nurse discovered there were some students who hadn't gotten their MMR vaccinations. Their parents got a call from the school.

"For those students whose records who aren't up to date they should stay away from school," Harbaugh said.

According to a state health official, it is against the law for anyone to attend school without their shots.

"They should have already gotten their shots at the beginning of the school year," said Raldan.

Roldan says her kids have all had their vaccinations and were checked. She fears some have fallen through the cracks, but she is happy with the way the school is addressing the situation.

However, she feels a bit biased. It could be because Avondale East is where she went to school as a kid.

"I've kind of got some personal attachments," Roldan said. "But I feel they are trying to get on top of the situation."

"We want to make sure there are no additional cases," Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh says county health officials have been notified.

School officials say they don't know how many children need to get their immunizations, but say without a doubt students will not be allowed to come back to school without their shots.