Three local mumps cases confirmed

There have been three confirmed cases of mumps in the Peterborough area, Peterborough Public Health announced Tuesday afternoon.

Mumps has been on the rise in Ontario and several other parts of North America this year.

Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, there have been 169 cases of mumps (158 confirmed and 11 probable) reported in Ontario, according to Public Health Ontario, a rate higher than the past eight years.

Peterborough Public Health is warning that people who have not been fully vaccinated are at increased risk of catching the mumps.

“Mumps is circulating in our community, so we are asking residents to watch for symptoms and see their health-care provider if they are feeling ill,” stated medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra. “It’s also important to follow good infection control practices to prevent its spread, such as ensuring you are vaccinated against mumps and not sharing objects like cups and eating utensils.”

Five things you need to know:

What is mumps?

Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by a virus, according to a release from Peterborough Public Health.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom of mumps is swollen salivary glands (located in your cheeks, near your jaw and below each ear), which cause one or both cheeks to become puffy, the release states.

Mumps also causes fever and headache. People who have symptoms usually get better after a week or two, but mumps can sometimes cause serious complications.

Who is immune?

People born in or after 1970 are not considered immune unless they either have received two doses of the mumps vaccine, also called measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV), or have been diagnosed with mumps, the release states. Those born before 1970 are considered to be immune.

Anyone who isn’t fully immunized and doesn’t have a healthcare provider can call the health unit’s immunization clinic at 705743-1000, ext. 129 to get up to date and fully protected.

How does it spread?

Mumps spreads easily through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the release states. People can catch it by: • Breathing the air where an infected person has coughed or sneezed.

• Touching an infected surface, and then touching their nose or mouth.

• Sharing objects (for example, cups and eating utensils) with a person who has mumps.

A person with mumps can spread the infection from seven days before to five days after they have symptoms. Up to half of people may have very mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. However, these people can still spread the virus.

Who is most at risk?

People who are most at risk include pregnant women, the release states. Pregnant women who get mumps during the first trimester may have a higher risk of miscarriage.