Health officials have confirmed that a teacher who lives in the Town of Brookhaven and works at Smithtown High School East has been diagnosed with mumps.

The individual, who officials describe as over 25 years of age, experienced symptoms consistent with mumps early in December.

The individual visited a health care provider, who diagnosed mumps and advised him to remain home until the individual was no longer infectious.

The Department of Health Services is investigating the case to determine if anyone was exposed during the infectious period.

Mumps is usually spread by mucus or droplets from the nose or throat from an infected person, when the infected person coughs or sneezes. Mumps can also spread through surfaces that have come in contact with these infected droplets.

The symptoms of mumps may include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite and swollen, tender salivary glands.