5 Cases Of Mumps Confirmed At Bergen County Jail

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Five cases of mumps were confirmed at the Bergen County Jail, officials said.

The Bergen County Department of Health Services received confirmation of five of the six suspected cases of mumps at the jail, Bergen County officials announced Friday afternoon. A sixth suspected cases was negative.

No additional cases have been reported.

The jail was placed on lock down Tuesday after five inmates were quarantined with what was then suspected cases of mumps. Other inmates were screened for the disease.

Derek Sands, a spokesperson for the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that future inmates would be transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose, or throat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states on its website.

Infected people can spread the disease by:

• Coughing, sneezing, talking, sharing items that may have saliva on them, like water bottles or cups
• Participating in close-contact activities with others, such as playing sports, dancing, or kissing
• Touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then touched by others

Related: 5 Suspected Cases Of Mumps As Bergen County Jail Locked Down

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com