On Thursday, the Arkansas Department of Health increased the tally of mumps cases associated with an outbreak in the northwest part of the state to 302. This number reflects infections with laboratory confirmation and suspected cases.
The health department is requiring students with vaccination exemptions 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 has ended.
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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