Mumps found in Boone County

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia and Boone County Public Health and Human Services identified multiple reported cases of mumps on Friday.

The department confirmed fewer than 10 cases of the illness, said PHHS spokesman Lucio Bitoy.

Health care providers are working to identify anyone who might have come in contact with those who have confirmed cases, according to a news release from PHHS.

"Mumps is a viral illness that can cause fever, body aches, headaches, fatigue, swelling of the salivary glands or pain with chewing and swallowing," PHHS said.

The virus can be spread by coughing, sneezing, talking, kissing, or sharing items that come in contact with saliva, PHHS said. Some people who get mumps have mild cold-like symptoms or no symptoms at all and may not know they have the disease.

Anyone with symptoms is urged to call their health care provider.

"Having two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is the best way to protect against mumps," PHHS said in a news release.