(The Daily Advertiser) – The Lafayette Parish School System is monitoring mumps outbreaks in Arkansas and Texas.

Recently, the Louisiana Office of Public Health notified LPSS about the outbreaks, the district said in a statement.

No such outbreaks have been reported in Louisiana. However, up to 1,800 people, mostly children, may have been infected in Arkansas. Two smaller outbreaks have been reported in Texas.

“These outbreaks of mumps in neighboring states should serve as a reminder for families of unimmunized children to consider vaccinating their children,” LPSS said in a statement. “In the case of a local outbreak of mumps, the OPH and the Lafayette Parish School System may exclude non-vaccinated, exposed individuals from attending school.”

People who are not vaccinated and are exposed to mumps are usually required to stay home for at least 26 days, per public health recommendations.

Any parents with questions are asked to call the LPSS nursing office at 337-521-7280.

Mumps is a viral infection that mainly affect salivary glands. Symptoms usually appear two or three weeks after exposure. Symptoms may include swollen glands on the face, fever, headache, muscle aches, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite and pain when chewing or swallowing.