The Vancouver Canucks Have a Case of the Mumps

The mumps are back in NHL dressing rooms.

The Vancouver Canucks reported Friday that rookie defenceman Troy Stecher was diagnosed with the mumps, while several other players on the club have displayed symptoms of the virus. They include teammates Chris Tanev, Nikita Tryamkin, Mike Chaput, and Markus Granlund.

In keeping with British Columbia Centre of Disease Control and guidelines set by Vancouver Coastal Health, the team has been working with the Vancouver Health Authority, the NHL and NHLPA to minimize transmission of the illness by testing, vaccinating, and placing symptom-present players into isolated quarantine for a five-day period, or until test results prove negative, according to a statement released by the team.

"We're taking this very seriously given how easily mumps can spread," said general manager Jim Benning. "We'll continue to follow all protocols in accordance with Vancouver Coastal Health guidelines in order to prevent further infection."

The last mumps outbreak in the NHL happened in 2014, when several officials and players from at least five teams—including superstars Sidney Crosby and Corey Perry—were diagnosed with the virus.

Mumps primarily causes swollen, tender and sensitive glands, while causing flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills and body aches. The virus is spread through respiratory saliva and mucus from the nose, mouth or throat, and can be present in a person for up to two weeks before symptoms arise.

The disease is particularly troublesome and tricky to control within athletic locker rooms, where the close quarters of showers, training facilities, and shared water bottles present an issue when an outbreak is yet to be diagnosed. It's brutally contagious nature is the main reason why Vancouver Coastal Health authorities are on hand at Rogers Arena to screen players, coaches and staff while immunizing those who need it.

The Canucks, currently on their bye week and sitting six points out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, will resume play Saturday at home against the San Jose Sharks. The five players listed above should be eligible to return to the lineup on March 2, one day following the trade deadline.