Matt Dionne | Sports and Health Editor
Featured image: People born between 1970 and 1992 are recommended to get a booster shot against mumps, as it has recently resurfaced. | Courtesy of Alex Proimos
If you’ve noticed some swelling in your cheeks lately, it might not be from stress-eating during late-night study sessions at Scott—you could have contracted the mumps.
Toronto Public Health, or TPH, issued a statement late last week warning of an outbreak of the disease that has been linked to several bars in the West End.
According to Vinita Dubey, associate medical officer of health with the city, the danger is not in the establishments’ equipment or utensils, but rather any patrons who are attending who have already contracted it and could be contagious.
There have been 43 confirmed cases of mumps in Toronto, which is double the number of cases reported last week.
The virus is transmitted through saliva, so kissing, sneezing, coughing and sharing food and drinks or utensils can all contribute to its spread.
Symptoms, which are often mild, may include swelling of the salivary glands, headaches, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, pain while chewing and weakness and muscle aches.
There is also a small chance that the virus could lead to infertility and miscarriage.
In some cases, symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear.
TPH is encouraging residents to check their immunization records and make sure they are equipped to avoid the disease. TPH also advises avoiding situations that could increase the risk of contracting the disease and urges people who feel symptomatic to stay home to prevent the disease from spreading further.
People born between 1970 and 1992 may have only received a single vaccination for the mumps, and are recommended to get a booster.
If you have any questions, you can contact TPH’s Health Connection at (416) 338-7600 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
