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Mumps virus is the most recognized cause of viral parotitis. Although widespread immunization has substantially reduced the number of mumps cases in the U.S., sporadic cases occur, and investigation into these cases by local health departments is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, outbreaks of parotitis are often presumed to be attributed to mumps virus in the absence of definitive microbiological diagnosis, without investigation for alternative causes. Researchers investigated viruses in 101 specimens associated with sporadic cases of parotitis in children and adults (age range, 4 months to 76 years) in eight states between 2009 and 2011. Each case was investigated according to procedures for mumps investigations, including buccal an…