Toronto Public Health confirms 26 cases of mumps in the city

Mar 7 2017, 11:58 pm

The Toronto District School Board has confirmed a case of mumps in a local high school.

The case follows Toronto Public Health’s investigation on the recent mumps outbreak, which now has 26 confirmed cases in the city.

“Although the risk of acquiring mumps in Toronto schools is low given that most schools have high vaccination rates, one case was identified recently,” said the School Board in a statement.

The board sent home a letter to parents explaining mumps and the recent outbreak. It asks parents to check vaccination records, and to watch for symptoms including fever, swelling of one or more salivary glands, loss of appetite, tiredness, and headache.

The mumps virus is found in saliva and respiratory droplets, according to the City. It is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and coming into contact with a person’s saliva by sharing drinks or utensils, food or water bottles, or by kissing.

A major factor contributing to outbreaks is being in a crowded environment, such as attending the same class, playing on the same sports team or living in a dormitory with a person who has the mumps.

Prior to the recent outbreak, mumps infection were rare in Toronto, with an average of five cases reported per year from 1997 to 2009.

This year, increased mumps activity has also been noted in Manitoba, Western Canada hockey teams, and other parts of Canada and United States, according to the City of Toronto.

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