There's been a spike in cases of mumps in Southern Health-Sante Sud. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Michael Routledge says it's normal to have five or ten cases per year but there have been 45 cases in just the past four months, many of them in southern Manitoba.

He says at least half the current cases of mumps have occurred in people who have been immunized, but notes there have been no severe cases, which indicates the vaccine is having a positive protective effect.

Routledge outlines some things we can do to avoid getting mumps...

"For people who haven't been vaccinated, this is a good time to look at talking to your health care provider and getting vaccinated," he explains. "Other than that, one thing we often see is that this sometimes clusters around sports teams, for example. So, for those groups, making sure you're not sharing water bottles. I think a lot of teams are good with that now. Other than that, it's basic hygiene like washing your hands. Part of the challenge though is that mumps is a very infectious virus. In some respects, it's hard to prevent."

Dr. Routledge says the outbreak started among teenagers and young adults but there have been some cases among young children and older adults as well.