From September 1, 2016, to April 28, 2017, there have been 345 confirmed cases of the Mumps in Manitoba, up from what is usually only several cases a year.

The outbreak was initially among mostly university students living in Winnipeg but now has affected all ages throughout Manitoba.

Dr. Richard Rusk is the Chief Occupational Medical Officer of Communicable Diseases with Manitoba Health and speaking with CHVN previously, stated "there's always waxing and waning, but thanks to the vaccine we would normally see about four, or eight in a really bad year. So if you even have a little outbreak of 20 cases, well, then, you've more than doubled it."

Symptoms of the virus include swollen, painful cheeks and neck and usually occur between 12 to 25 days after infection. An infected person is contagious from approximately seven days before to five days after the onset of swollen glands. Some may not show obvious symptoms when infected.

So, who is most at risk? Rusk explains, "obviously the unvaccinated population is what we worry about the most. But then the next people would be those who are immune-compromised, undergoing cancer treatments, etc."

Those who think they may have the mumps or been in contact with someone who does should make their health-care provider aware, or call Health Links at 204-788-8200 for more information.

There is currently no cure, with treatment merely to relieve symptoms. Mumps can be prevented through immunization.