On Monday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health increased the number of mumps cases associated with an outbreak affecting both Garfield and Kay County to 70.
The updated outbreak summary marks a nearly 30-case increase from last Monday's count of 43.
"State and local public health officials are working closely with schools and healthcare providers to rapidly identify suspected cases and exclude affected persons from childcare centers, schools or workplaces during the timeframe they are able to transmit mumps to other persons," said the state health department in the summary.
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 and the MMR vaccine, click here.
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