Childhood immunizations in the United States
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by the virus by the same name. Since most people in the United States have been vaccinated, mumps is now a rare disease in this country. Currently there are no specific treatments for mumps.
Mumps is spread person to person by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person. This is done through coughing, sneezing, talking, and coming into contact with contaminate items. Transmission likely occurs before the salivary glands swell an up to 5 days after the swelling begins.
Mumps outbreaks in the 21st century
As of March 17, 2017, there have been 43 confirmed cases in the city of Toronto with the highest rates in the west end. Most cases have occurred in people in their late teens to mid-thirties, and the hike in cases has been linked to patrons of bars in the city’s west end.