1st mumps case confirmed in Saskatchewan; 2 more under investigation

Saskatchewan is confirming its first case of mumps this year and two further expected cases are under investigation.

A government official confirms in an email to The Canadian Press that the cases being looked into are probably linked to travel and exposure in Alberta.

• More mumps in Manitoba: 8 cases confirmed in the last week
• 10 days, 8 more cases: Manitoba mumps outbreak continues to spread

Health officials in Saskatchewan said last month that residents and doctors need to be on alert for mumps because there are outbreaks in Alberta and Manitoba.

Since September and up to last Thursday, Manitoba Health has confirmed 192 cases of mumps; 37 cases have been confirmed in Alberta so far this year.

• Number of mumps cases in Manitoba doubles; outbreak expected to continue for months

Dr. Denise Werker, Saskatchewan's deputy chief medical officer, said it was just a matter of time before cases started showing up in the province.

The email says Saskatchewan expects to see ongoing exposure to mumps, since sports teams and others frequently travel to Alberta and Manitoba.

Symptoms include fever, swollen cheeks and neck. The virus is found in saliva and respiratory droplets. It is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezingand coming into contact with an infected person's saliva by sharing drinks or utensils, or by kissing.