The Vancouver Canucks have a mumps outbreak, with Troy Stecher diagnosed and four others showing symptoms.
During the 2014-15 NHL season, the league saw an outbreak of the mumps. While the disease is relatively harmless to adults, it can spread very quickly. After a short hiatus, the mumps are back in hockey. The Vancouver Canucks are the team afflicted. Defenseman Troy Stecher has been diagnosed while four others are being evaluated for showing symptoms.
“We’re taking this very seriously given how easily mumps can spread,” said General Manager Jim Benning, via NHL.com. “At this point Troy Stecher is the only player with a confirmed test result. Chris Tanev, Nikita Tryamkin, Mike Chaput and Markus Granlund have each presented symptoms. We’ll continue to follow all protocols in accordance with Vancouver Coastal Health guidelines in order to prevent further infection.”
Mumps is a disease which primarily affects the salivary gland, causing swollen glands. It spreads primarily through saliva in various forms. The scary thing about mumps is you can carry it for up to two weeks without showing symptoms.
While it sounds scary, it’s not a huge deal. The symptoms, which can include those similar to the flu, aren’t major. It is rarely seen as being life threatening, especially in America and Canada. Still, because it spreads so fast and takes a lot out of you, an outbreak can render an entire locker room sick in under a month. Because symptoms take up to two weeks to show up, by the time you realize someone has it, it might be too late.
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