It appears the mumps have struck in Douglas County.

During the past two weeks, six probable mumps cases have been reported in people ages 19 to 26, according to the Douglas County Health Department.

“In this part of the climate, winter and spring are the peak season for mumps,” said health department nursing director Barbara Schnitker.

The number of cases is more than the county usually sees but still not unusual, Schnitker said.

Mumps is an acute viral disease that results in swelling and discomfort of the jaw. Fever and headache also can be present. Mumps is spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.

Individuals with swelling in the jaw area for two days or more without apparent cause should see a physician. An individual could be contagious seven days before swelling to nine days after, health experts said. People diagnosed with the mumps should stay home from school or work.

There has been one confirmed mumps case this year in Kansas and that was in Saline County, Sharon Watson, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said.

There is another possible case in Norton County, she said. Typically Kansas has no more than three cases a year, she said.