17 CASES OF MUMPS LINKED TO BARS IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Public health officials in Toronto say there are now 17 confirmed cases of mumps linked to bars in the city’s downtown. Earlier this week, Toronto Public Health said they had been investigating 14 cases of the viral infection. Spokeswoman Lenore Bromley says the lab-confirmed cases involve people between 18 and 35 years of age who frequented west Toronto bars. The mumps virus is found in saliva and respiratory droplets, and is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and coming into contact with a person’s saliva. The Toronto cases come as Alberta Health Services investigates up to four cases of mumps in the Edmonton area and a hockey team based in Medicine Hat, Alta., reports half a dozen players and a coach have mumps.