Mumps outbreak spreading across Canada
An outbreak of the mumps that began in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia has spreaf across the nation, infecting at least 203 people.
While the initial outbreak in Nova Scotia has lessened recently in areas like Halifax's Dalhousie University, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Sunday that three cases of the mumps were confirmed in Ontario.
Officials in Nova Scotia called for a comprehensive national strategy to deal with the outbreak.
"I just think this needs to be coordinated from a national perspective and we are in ongoing discussions with the Public Health Agency (of Canada)," said Nova Scotia heath official Robert Strang.
"Nova Scotia can lead in this because we're the one learning," he added. "We're on the front lines on this and other provinces can learn from us."
The CBC warned that individuals born between 1970 and 1992 are most at risk for the mumps, a disease that can potentially lead to sterility and deafness.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International