Number of Mumps cases in the areas on the rise

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit announced today that the mumps outbreak has increased to 13 cases in the health unit service region.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Chirico says new cases have presented in the West Nipissing region on top of the cases reported at Nipissing University and Canadore College in North Bay. He also notes that there has only been one case in the region in the last decade.

He describes Mumps is an infection of the salivary glands that is caused by a virus that spreads easily through the exchange of saliva, of coughing or sneezing.

"It is spread from person to person when saliva or droplets enter a person's mouth or nose."

"Other activities such as sharing drinks (which you may see in sports events), food, cigarettes, musical instruments or kissing the infected person may also spread the virus.

"Those at greatest at risk of getting mumps are teens and young adults (primarily males)," said medical officer of health Dr. Jim Chirico.



He adds that preventing mumps is important and it can make people very ill and lead to significant complications.

"Complications may include painful and swollen testicles, which rarely can lead to sterility, meningitis, and encephalitis, hearing loss and also miscarriages during the first 3 months of pregnancy."



There is case of confirmed meningitis and that is under investigation to verify it is a result from having a case of the mumps.

Chirico says if a person is experiencing the following symptoms; fever, swelling and tenderness of the salivary gland (one side or both as pictured), headache, cold like symptoms and in males swollen and tender testicles are asked to quarantine themselves and call their health provider. He notes a person is highly infectious for the first nine days of the Mumps.

Clinics will be held at the Sturgeon Falls Recreation Centre Friday and Tuesday between 2 and 6 p.m during the already scheduled H1N1 clinics.