The Toronto District School Board confirmed Monday that one of its students was hit with a case of mumps, bringing the total of confirmed cases in the city to 26.

TDSB spokesperson Shari Schwartz-Maltz said the Forest Hill Collegiate Institute was informed on Thursday that one of its students had a case of mumps. The principal sent a note the following day, reminding parents to make sure students were up to date with vaccinations.

Health officials would not disclose the age of the student affected, but said the person did not have any immunization history.

Toronto Public Health is currently investigating the mumps outbreak in the city. Officials say the virus has mostly affected 18- to 35-year olds who frequented west-end bars in the city, specifically west of Yonge St., east of Lansdowne Ave. and south of Bloor St. W.

However, Dr. Vinita Dubey, an associate medical officer with Toronto Public Health, said the latest cases indicate a community outbreak of mumps.

“We’re seeing more community spread,” she said. “The virus may move outside the west downtown core and we could start seeing cases that have no connections to that area.”

Toronto normally averages about four cases per year, according to health officials. The highly contagious virus spreads through coughing, sneezing and coming into contact with a person’s saliva. Symptoms include swollen salivary glands, loss of appetite, tiredness and headaches.

As a precaution, Forest Hill Collegiate Institute conducted an extra cleaning, Schwartz-Maltz said, disinfecting hard surfaces in the school, including counters, desks, railings and water fountains.

Ontario students are required to be immunized against mumps. Schwartz-Maltz said the exemption rate for vaccines at Forest Hill Collegiate, home to about 1,000 students, is around 15.

Toronto isn’t the only place experiencing a mumps outbreak. Manitoba is in the midst of a serious mumps outbreak, with 184 cases confirmed between Sept. 1 to March 2.

Dubey advises that parents and students alike, especially those travelling for March break, ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations.