Saskatoon's mumps-free status under pressure, warns doctor

So far, Saskatoon remains a mumps free-zone, as our neighbours to the west and the east struggle with a serious outbreak of the virus.

We might be able to get away with a small experience.- Dr. JohnmarkOpondo

But it's not likelyto remain that way, according to the city's deputy medical health officer.

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• Sask. health officials brace for mumps

"It's spread like a cold," said Dr. Johnmark Opondo in an interview with CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning, adding that "there is a good chance" the mumps will show up in Saskatoon.

This outbreak, Opondo noted, is happening among young people. For example, it's hitting players in the Western Hockey League, and the Saskatoon Blades are already taking precautions.

"It's really the young university age kind of crowd," said Opondo. "In Manitoba it actually has spread beyond that and is affecting all age groups."

Even though there are currently no mumps cases in Saskatoon, Opondo says the health region is working behind the scenes getting ready.

"We are talking to our physicians.We are telling them about the outbreak, we are telling them what kind of testing needs to be done."

Check your records

Opondo said there are also things individuals can do. By the time you are 21, people are alreadysupposed to have received two doses of the mumps vaccine. Opondo asked that people check their medical records to make sure they have received the shot.

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Opondo said the mumps are normally mild among children but warned that "the older you are the more severe" the virus can be.

Right now Opondo is optimistic that if people in Saskatoon take precautions, things like washing their hands, and not sharing cups and water bottles, the impact can be minimized.

"We might be able to get away with a small experience."