4 mumps cases linked to outbreak at ServiceOntario office: Toronto Public Health

A ServiceOntario office is seen in this undated photo.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating a mumps outbreak linked to a downtown ServiceOntario office.

In a statement to CP24 on Friday, TPH said there are four confirmed cases so far.

“Exposure was limited to non-public-facing, head-office roles, with no direct interaction with the public, so the risk of broader community spread is low,” TPH said, noting that the office is located at 777 Bay Street.

The local health unit added that it is following up with identifiable contacts.

Mumps is a disease caused by the mumps virus.

It causes swelling of the neck or cheeks. Symptoms also include fever, headache, malaise, myalgia and anorexia.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the virus spreads through infectious respiratory particles or secretions.

“With the introduction of routine mumps vaccination programs in Canada beginning in 1969, mumps has transitioned from being a common childhood infection to a relatively rare disease,” PHAC said.

“Nonetheless, outbreaks of mumps continue to occur in Canada with an increasing proportion of cases occurring in teenagers and young adults.”