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Three more mumps cases: Penguins' Steve Downie, Thomas Greiss, Devils' Patrik Elias, Michael Ryder

Jimmy Hascup
USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Steve Downie has 17 points and 135 penalty minutes this season.

Add three more players to the NHL's growing list of mumps cases.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Steve Downie, backup goalie Thomas Greiss and New Jersey Devils forwards Patrik Elias and Michael Ryder are the latest to fall victim to the virus that has ravaged the league. They will continue to be isolated from their respective teams.

Brandon Sutter, who had been sent back to Pittsburgh on Monday to get tested, does not have the virus and is cleared to rejoin the team Saturday, which is when the holiday break concludes.

Devils forward Martin Havlat doesn't have the mumps. Lamoriello said it was "just a virus." Neither Havlat nor Elias will play Saturday against the New York Rangers.

The positive test results for Downie and Greiss bring the Penguins' total to five this season. Sidney Crosby, Beau Bennett and Olli Maatta also came down with the mumps. Greiss had been tested Dec. 18 but those results came back negative.

The Devils have had four confirmed cases: Elias, Ryder Travis Zajac and Adam Larsson. Minor league goalie Scott Clemmensen also has them, according to the Bergen Record.

The NHL has seen 21 confirmed cases of the virus this season. It has affected the Penguins, Devils, Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks. It's possible additional teams and players have dealt with it as well, but have not been as forthcoming publicly with the diagnosis.

The mumps spreads via respiratory droplets, i.e. coughing or sneezing. The two-shot vaccine is 88% effective, and most teams have given their players booster shots. According to the CDC, the incubation period averages 16-18 days. Symptoms of the virus includes fever, headache, fatigue, muscle ache, loss of appetite and swelling of the cheeks and throat.

The Penguins host the Washington Capitals on Saturday and visit the New Jersey Devils on Monday.

PHOTOS: NHL mumps outbreak

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