Escalating numbers of mumps infections being reported nationwide There are now 31 cases at University of Missouri, 27 more being tested Last week, State University of New York reported outbreak from swimteam Numerous Arkansas towns reported 427 mumps infections this summer Harvard University also battling an outbreak Mumps is an infection of the salivary gland, preventable by MMR vaccine The highly infectious virus is spread by saliva on cups, cutlery, plates Many do not experience symptoms but mumps can be devastating (copywrite restriction pervents further information; more information avaiable at source website)