A rise in the number of cases of mumps in Samoa has forced the Ministry of Health to call for improved personal hygiene to prevent the spread.
The acting chief executive officer of the ministry, Professor Pelenatete Stowers, says there have been 20 cases since April, mostly among school age children in Apia.
But she says the numbers are increasing with a small number of cases reported from the rural areas in Upolu and Savaii Islands.
Health officials advise that the symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle pain and swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands.
The chief public health officer, Andrew Peteru, has made assurances that the outbreak poses no threat to athletes who will participate in next month's South Pacific Games in Apia..