Toronto dealing with 37 mumps cases, four in schools

By News Staff

The number of mumps cases in Toronto has hit 37, with four of them in schools.

Those four people are either staff or students, Toronto Public Health said Monday, and they’ve all been in contact with someone who had the mumps.

“However, broader community spread of the mumps is now occurring in Toronto,” Toronto Public Health warned, adding that everyone should be up-to-date with their vaccinations.

Initially, Toronto Public Health said most people who contracted the virus from a bar attended businesses west of Yonge Street. Most of those infected were 18 to 35 years old, and either lived or attended bars downtown.

That has now changed.

Toronto Public Health is asking the public to take the following general precautions:

1) Check vaccination records for you and your child

Two doses of mumps vaccine (MMR, MMRV) are recommended for all individuals born in 1970 or later.
Children receive one dose after the first birthday (MMR) and a second dose at 4 to 6 years of age as part of Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule; check your child’s yellow immunization card.
Individuals born between 1970 and 1992 may have received only one dose as a child. If an adult is unsure about their vaccinations or has only received one dose of mumps-containing vaccine, a booster dose is recommended.

2) Watch for symptoms of mumps

The mumps infection causes fever, swelling of one or more salivary glands, loss of appetite, tiredness, and headache. If you or your child have symptoms of the mumps and are ill, please contact your health care provider and do not attend work or school.

3) Planning to travel

Ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date for you and all your family members before travelling.

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