Health officials say some members and guests of two Nassau beach clubs may have been exposed to mumps after three employees were diagnosed with the contagious disease.

According to Nassau health authorities, two of the infected employees work at Atlantic Beach Club, and the third is employed by the Lawrence Beach Club. All three are college students from Ireland.

The Nassau County Department of Health is advising members and guests of the Atlantic Beach Club that they may have been exposed to mumps from July 5 through July 24. Members of the Lawrence Beach Club may have been exposed from June 16 through June 28.

?Mumps is a viral illness associated with fever, headaches, and swollen salivary glands, most commonly the parotid glands, which are just below the ears,? explains Dr. Maria Torrella Carney.

In rare cases, the illness can also cause deafness, encephalitis and viral meningitis.

?If someone has been exposed to mumps, they need to avoid contact with other people to minimize the spread of it,? Carney says. ?Mumps is transmitted respiratorially through airborne and close contact with people.?

According to Carney, people who have received two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine are immune. But those who experience symptoms of mumps are urged to seek medical help. Carney adds, however, that it is best for people to contact a doctor in advance.

?They should call before, because if they have the symptoms and they go to an emergency room or doctor?s office, they can spread mumps further,? Carney says.