Niagara Region Public Health announced today they have identified the first infection of mumps in Niagara, prompting health officials to urge all residents to ensure their vaccination is up to date.
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It is primarily spread by droplets during coughing and sneezing as well as by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person.
Symptoms of mumps typically appear 16 to 18 days after exposure. A person is most infectious from two days before symptoms appear to five days after. Almost half (40%) of those infected with mumps develop facial swelling (parotitis) on either one or both sides of the face. Some people with mumps have only respiratory symptoms and may not know they have the infection.
Two doses of mumps-containing vaccine are required to be fully immunized against mumps.
LISTEN: Mumps: Canada, the virus and the vaccine and why the comeback
Public Health Ontario reported 100 mumps cases during the first three months of 2017. This case count is higher than the past five years.
Toronto Public Health has reported 75 cases in their current outbreak.
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