Number of mumps cases in Colorado grows to 26, up from January

DENVER – A mumps outbreak in Colorado has nearly doubled in size over the past week, according to state health officials.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment told Denver7 Tuesday that there have been 26 cases of mumps in the state since the beginning of the year. Twenty-two of the cases are linked to an outbreak in the Denver metro area.

As of last week, the health department said there were just 14 cases in Colorado. It says it expects the more-recent numbers to grow as more people are tested.

Since there is no specific treatment for the mumps, officials advise people to get the MMR vaccine.