Long Beach Mumps Outbreak Growing Steadily

The outbreak of mumps in Long Bech is growing, according to health officials.

Newsday reported that there have been 18 more recorded cases since the beginning of the month, bringing the total to 36. The infection hasn't spread off the Barrier Island yet, officials have said.

Mumps mainly affects children. According to the Center for Disease Control, mumps typically causes fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and swollen and tender salivary glands. The swollen glands often give children a swollen, puffy face.

It is spread through coughs or sneezes by infected people, but can also be spread sharing and touching objects an infected person has touched. It often starts spreading before the salivary glands swell, so a person with mumps might be spreading it before they know they have it.

To raise awareness about the disease, the county's Department of Health has posted signs around Long Beach warning residents about the disease, Newsday reported.

Read the full story at Newsday.

Photo: Shutterstock.