5 Suspected Cases Of Mumps As Bergen County Jail Locked Down

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Five suspected cases of mumps were discovered among inmates at the Bergen County Jail, county officials announced Monday. The jail was placed on lockdown.

Derek Sands, a spokesperson for the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, said the five inmates were quarantined while all others were being screened.

Sands confirmed that future inmates will 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

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Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com