5 confirmed cases of the mumps in Guelph high schools

Public health authorities have confirmed five cases of the mumps atGuelph high schools, the first known instancesof the diseasein Wellington County, DufferinCountyand Guelph since January 2010.

The five students are from Bishop MacDonnellandOur Lady of Lourdes high schools.Theyhave been given two doses of the measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine.

The WellingtonDufferinGuelph health unit says thevirusspreads throughsaliva or mucus, either bydirect contact,like,sharinga drink,or through indirect contact, such as whenan infected person coughs andspraysdroplets into the air.

The health unit says thevirus can result in serious illness, testicular inflammation, meningitis or hearing loss.

People are advised to call their doctor if they develop symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Swelling and tenderness inlower cheeks
• Headache
• Cold-like symptoms