Mumps Outbreak Continues to Spread in Long Beach

The number of cases of mumps in Long Beach has grown in recent weeks, with 47 people now infected with the disease.

According to Newsday, the number of infected people has grown since August. There are now 30 confirmed cases and another 17 probable cases. However, the infection has not spread off the Long Beach island.

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.

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