Some 39 young people at colleges in the city have contracted the illness in the last two days alone.

The Yorkshire Health Protection Agency says anyone suspecting they have mumps should stay off work or college for at least five days after symptoms develop.

The York cases are part of an increase in mumps nationwide, the health officials say.

Treatment advice

Ten cases have been reported at the University of York, while seven students are thought to have caught the virus at St John University College.

The remaining cases are believed to have occurred at other colleges in the city.

Symptoms include a fever, shivers, tiredness and painful swelling of the parotid glands, which are found just below the jaw line.

There is no specific treatment for mumps, but symptoms may be relieved with paracetamol or similar medications which can bring down a high temperature.