5 confirmed cases of the mumps in Guelph high schools

Public health authorities have confirmed five cases of the mumps at Guelph high schools, the first known instances of the disease in Wellington County, Dufferin County and Guelph since January 2010.

The five students are from Bishop MacDonnell and Our Lady of Lourdes high schools. They have been given two doses of the measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine.

The Wellington Dufferin Guelph health unit says the virus spreads through saliva or mucus, either by direct contact, like, sharing a drink, or through indirect contact, such as when an infected person coughs and sprays droplets into the air. 

The health unit says the virus 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 in lower cheeks
• Headache
• Cold-like symptoms