Cases of mumps are on the rise in Hamilton.
Hamilton Public Health Services is seeing increased mumps activity in Hamilton and Ontario.
Currently, fewer than 5 cases of mumps have been confirmed in Hamilton, but more could be expected with the outbreak in Toronto and other areas in Canada.
Right now, there are no cases confirmed in Niagara.
The Niagara Region is offering additional immunization clinics over the March Break, you can find details by clicking here.
City of Hamilton Public Health is reminding individuals to ensure their mumps vaccine is up to date.
People born in 1970 or later should have received at least one-dose of mumps-containing vaccine, with children, adolescents, health care workers and military personnel having 2-doses of vaccine.
The mumps vaccine is available as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine given according to age.
Parents of children attending school are reminded that two doses of mumps vaccine are required under the Immunization for School Pupils Act.
Mumps is an infection caused by a virus.
Most often it causes fever and tenderness and swelling the saliva (spit) glands located near the jaw line below the ears.
Mumps is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
Mumps can also be spread through contact with the saliva of an infected person through kissing, sharing drinking and eating utensils such as cups, straws, forks or spoons.
Call your doctor or a walk-in clinic if you think you or your child has mumps.