

Marc-Andre Fleury can guard against the puck, but maybe not against the mumps. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The NHL’s mumps outbreak continued to spread on Wednesday, as the Pittsburgh Penguins announced three more players were going to get tested for the viral illness after reporting they didn’t feel good. The players include goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and defensemen Robert Bortuzzo and Olli Maatta.

Wednesday’s tests follow confirmed mumps diagnoses on center Sidney Crosby, who famously told reporters last week that he didn’t have the mumps when HE CLEARLY HAD THE MUMPS, and winger Beau Bennett, who tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.

Crosby is doing much better now, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which reported the star skated around the rink this morning, but still didn’t participate in the team practice.

Prior to the outbreak on the Penguins, mumps ravaged the Minnesota Wild’s defense core, taking out five players for at least one game. The Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers also had mumps in their ranks this season.

The disease, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is spread through “droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat,” a common occurrence in a sport like hockey where players have close contact with each other often, isn’t just affecting the game, but the players’ annual off-the-ice charity events now, as well.

At least four teams have decided to postpone plans to cheer up hospital patients this week because of possible contamination issues, USA Today reports.

The New York Islanders, who have not hosted the virus (yet), say canceled a Wednesday visit to a children’s hospital as a precautionary action.

“As of today no player or staff member has shown any signs of symptoms of infection,” the Islanders said in a statement (via the New York Post). “Nonetheless to assure the health and wellness of hospitalized children, the organization has decided to be extremely cautious.”

The mumps-free Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes, as well as the mumps-ridden Wild have all postponed scheduled visits, as well, according to USA Today.

The NHL continues take the mumps outbreak in stride.

“It’s a concern and obviously we are trying to provide all the tools we can to our Clubs to help them in their efforts to keep the outbreak as contained as possible,” NFL Deputy Commissioner said in an email to The Washington Post. “For the most part, that entails a fair amount of consciousness-raising on standards and practices that most of our Clubs employ already in the normal course. But, we have also recommended that vaccinations be provided to all Players and Club staff and our understanding is that most of our Clubs have complied. We will obviously continue to monitor the situation and will respond appropriately as events warrant.”