Mumps spreads to second NHL team: 2 Wild players isolated

Jason Pominville and Zach Parise of the NHL's Minnesota Wild have been diagnosed with the mumps, according to a team statement released Monday.

An assistant coach is also displaying symptoms of the highly contagious virus, according to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo.

Players and staff with mumps symptoms are being tested and placed in isolation for a five-day period. Team physicians recently administered the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to players and staff. The organization also said it will continue to work closely with the NHL, the NHL Players' Association and the Minnesota Department of Health to prevent the further spread of the virus.

This is the second NHL team in a week to announce players had mumps: the Vancouver Canucks reported one confirmed case of the mumps this month, which may be indicative of a larger outbreak within the organization.

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The Wild practiced in Vancouver on Feb. 3 and played there Feb. 4, according to the Star Tribune.

Mumps is a highly transmissible virus spread by person-to-person contact. Early onset symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. The virus is best known for causing swollen salivary glands, resulting in the appearance of puffy cheeks; however, mumps typically spreads before the salivary glands start to swell, according to the CDC.

In 2014, the Wild were among five teams to cancel holiday hospital appearances due a mumps outbreak.

More articles on infection control: 
WHO ranks world's 12 most dangerous superbugs 
Wyoming hospital urged to contact patients after unsterile surgical instrument reports 
Top 10 infection control stories, Feb. 20-24

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