Harvard University now has 9 confirmed cases of mumps

Since revealing last week that six students have confirmed cases of the mumps, Harvard University announced three more students have the viral infection, according to reports.

The total 9 cases at Harvard are part of 12 confirmed mumps cases throughout the state of Massachusetts, according to the Boston Globe.

On Tuesday, Boston.com reported, UMass Boston confirmed two students had mumps and another case was reported at Bentley University in Waltham last month.

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Boston.com added that in a letter to the community, Dr. Paul Barreira, Harvard’s director of health services, said the university is working closely with state and city health officials to track and evaluate the exposure of the virus on campus.

Barreira continued by encouraging those around the Harvard area to avoid crowded parts and practice good hygiene to help prevent the spread of the infection.

Mumps is a viral infection that affects the salivary glands and spreads through infected saliva.

Some of the symptoms include swollen, painful salivary glands, fever, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Contracting the disease can be prevented by the MMR vaccine, however it is possible to get infected even if you are vaccinated.