Cases of mumps continue to rise in the ongoing outbreak in Arkansas. On Monday, the Arkansas Department of Health upped the count to 1,872, denoting a 358-infection increase since Nov. 21. The count includes both laboratory confirmed cases and suspected cases.
The outbreak was initially concentrated in the northwest region of the state, but has since spread to several counties in the southwest and central regions of the state. There are currently 41 workplaces, 32 schools across two school districts, five colleges or vocational schools, one private school and one state public school impacted by the outbreak.
The mumps are best known for painful, swollen salivary glands that cause puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. It is a highly communicable disease transmitted by person-to-person contact and is typically accompanied by initial symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.
To learn more about the mumps, click here.
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