The Toronto District School Board is confirming a high school student has contracted a case of the mumps amid a growing outbreak in the city.
A TDSB spokeswoman told Global News a student at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, located near Bathurst Street and Eglinton Avenue West, recently became ill with the mumps. The spokeswoman said the student is at home recovering and parents were notified of the illness in a letter on Friday.
Toronto Public Health Dr. Vinita Dubey confirmed to Global News that there were 26 cases of mumps in the city as of Monday afternoon. She said the affected student was not immunized against mumps.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about mumps and why it’s making a comeback
Dubey said most of those infected are between the ages of 18 and 35 and a majority of the confirmed cases have been linked to bars in Toronto’s west end.
Health officials said the mumps virus is found in saliva and respiratory droplets and is spread person-to-person. Mumps can be shared through coughing, sneezing, kissing, drinks, utensils, food or drink bottles.
Public health staff said a major factor contributing to the outbreaks of mumps is being in crowded environments.
READ MORE: 22 cases of mumps confirmed in Toronto, including 5 new cases this week
Officials encouraged the public to check their vaccination records. Public Health said people born in 1970 or later should have two doses of the mumps vaccine. The health agency also encouraged people to 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,” the update read.
Meanwhile, as Toronto deals with its outbreak of mumps, Manitoba has confirmed at least 176 cases over a six-month period.
It has also been an issue for some professional hockey teams like the Vancouver Canucks, which saw seven players show symptoms of the disease a couple of weeks ago.
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