Health officials and infectious disease experts are urging Canadians to check that their vaccinations are up to date.
The Vancouver Canucks say defenceman Troy Stecher has been diagnosed with mumps. Defencemen Chris Tanev and Nikita Tryamkin, along with forwards Mike Chaput and Markus Granlund have all shown symptoms. The Canucks said those with symptoms were immediately tested and quarantined for five-days. The Victoria Royals have managed to avoid the outbreak but according to the WHL there has been a case of the Mumps in February and the league has advised all clubs to take precautions, including sanitization of all locker room areas and equipment. All WHL Clubs were also asked to review vaccination histories of players and team staff and strongly recommend vaccination if necessary.
The plea comes as clusters of mumps are investigated in Ontario, Alberta and B-C and measles cases are probed in Nova Scotia.
Mumps & Measles are highly contagious and people between the ages of 18 and 35 need to ensure they've had two doses of the shots to boost their immunity -- there are issues with people who've only had a single dose of vaccine.