The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting 45 mumps cases in Dallas County for 2017.

Mumps virus/CDC
Mumps virus/CDC

The bulk of the cases (35) are reported in students and teachers in Cedar Hill High School. Not all cases are Dallas County residents. Health officials have also identified 10 unrelated mumps cases in Mesquite, Dallas and DeSoto.

Through Mar. 4, Texas has seen 110 mumps cases in 2017.

Mumps is spread through coughing and sneezing and sharing cups and utensils. While vaccination is the best protection against mumps, even people who are vaccinated can become infected. People should also prevent spreading mumps and other illnesses by covering coughs and sneezes, washing their hands frequently with soap and water, and not sharing food and drinks.

Mumps symptoms include swollen or tender salivary glands, swollen or tender testicles, low fever, tiredness and muscle aches. People usually develop symptoms 14-18 days after being exposed to the virus that causes mumps, but it can be as long as 25 days. People who think they have mumps should contact their health care provider, and anyone suspected of having mumps should stay home while they’re contagious – five days after swollen glands occur.