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A number of players in the Western Hockey League have been benched due to an outbreak of mumps.
The league sent an alert Friday to all 22 teams after several cases involving the Medicine Hat Tigers and Brandon Wheat Kings.
Mumps is a highly contagious virus spread through saliva and droplets contained in an infected person’s breath. The virus can cause swollen salivary glands and flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches and headaches.
Neither Saskatchewan team has reported any cases yet. However the Saskatoon Blades and Regina Pats both cancelled post-game skates with their fans on Sunday.
“Event though the outbreak is limited to two teams, you can’t do enough to ensure the safety of both the players and the fans,” said Blades President Steve Hogle.
Hogle said they’re ensuring players’ vaccinations are up-to-date and will be keeping them from contact in the community until the scare is over.
Such was the case Sunday when the team’s mascot and Blue Crew skated with fans instead of the players. The Regina Pats did the same.
“We did have some questions from fans asking about the players, but obviously the health and safety of the fans and the players is paramount,” Hogle said.
The National Hockey League is dealing with its own mumps scare. The Vancouver Canucks announced Friday that one player has been diagnosed with the virus. Several other have shown symptoms.
Two years ago the league was hit by a mumps outbreak. Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby was among a group of players diagnosed with the virus during the 2014-15 season.
