North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit News Release ******************** There is a Mumps Clinic today, Friday October 5, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Canadore/Nipissing gym in North Bay.
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit News Release
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There is a Mumps Clinic today, Friday October 5, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Canadore/Nipissing gym in North Bay. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is also offering two additional Mumps Clinics. One clinic will be held at the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, 681 Commercial Street, on Saturday October 6, from 10 am to 2 pm. On Tuesday, October 9 another clinic will be held from 10 am to 2 pm at the Canadore/Nipissing gymnasium.
Those attending the clinics must bring ID from Canadore College or Nipissing University. Only those who are a student, staff or faculty at Canadore College or Nipissing University in North Bay are eligible to receive the vaccine.
“We want to be sure all staff, students and faculty have a chance to be immunized against mumps,” said Dr. Catherine Whiting, Medical Officer of Health. “We estimate that over 600 were immunized on Thursday, October 4 2007. Both Canadore and Nipissing administrative staff have been very supportive and working with them has been great.”
Students who attend Canadore College or Nipissing University, and are from outside the district, should bring their yellow immunization booklets to the clinic. Students who attended elementary/high school in this district will have their immunization records available at the Mumps Clinics.
Mumps is an infection of the salivary glands that is caused by a virus. It is spread from person-to-person when infected respiratory droplets or saliva enters a person’s mouth from sneezing or coughing. Other activities such as sharing drinks, food, cigarettes, musical instruments, or from kissing the affected person may also spread the virus.
Symptoms of mumps may include fever, swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands, headache, and cold-like symptoms. For men, less common symptoms could be swollen and tender testicles. In adults, mumps is more likely to cause serious illnesses and pregnant women who become infected during their first trimester are at greater risk for miscarriage.
There is no treatment for mumps. It is recommended that all children in Ontario receive two doses of vaccine for Mumps (MMR). To prevent the spread of disease, avoid sharing personal items that come in contact with saliva and wash your hands frequently.
For more information about mumps, contact the Health Unit at 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808, or visit the following websites:
• North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit: www.nbpsdhu.ca
• Ministry of Health and Long Term Care: www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/disease/mumps.html
• Public Health Agency of Canada: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/mumps-oreillons/index.html
