The Arkansas Department of Health is now investigating 1,085 cases of the mumps in an outbreak primarily associated with the northwest part of the state, according to Monday's update.
The count includes both laboratory confirmed cases and suspected cases. Infections have occurred among individuals at 24 workplaces, 30 schools across three public school districts and two private schools.
The majority of cases have occurred in school-aged children. Therefore, the state health department is requiring students with exemptions for the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine at schools where a student or teacher has become infected with the mumps to remain out of school for at least 26 days or until the outbreak ends.
The mumps are best known for painful, swollen salivary glands that cause puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. To learn more about the mumps, click here.
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