(New City, NY) -- An outbreak of the mumps now appears to have spread to dozens of children in Rockland County, New York.

The state Health Department reports at least 45 children in religious communities in Monsey and Spring Valley have come down with the mumps.

Health officials say the spread of the disease appears linked to similar cases in Brooklyn and Lakewood, New Jersey.

The Health Department believes the disease originated from a child, who recently returned from London before attending a summer camp in Sullivan County.

The state adds seven other cases of the mumps have been reported in Orange County.

Health officials say the disease shows no signs of spreading beyond the religious communities.

　

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)