Sydney Roosters on high alert as mumps spreads through club
THE Roosters are on high alert with fears the highly contagious mumps virus will rip through the club with a player and a member of the coaching staff already quarantined from the playing group.
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THE Sydney Roosters are on high alert with fears the highly contagious mumps virus will rip through the club after a player and a member of the coaching staff were quarantined from the rest of the playing group.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal veteran Mitchell Aubusson has contracted the viral disease and has been segregated from his teammates. It is also understood that a member of the coaching staff has also showed signs of the virus and has also been told to keep away.
So far the Roosters have been able to limit the spread of the virus to just that pair after initial fears the wider playing group could be impacted, amid suggestions there has been a breakout of the mumps in the Eastern Suburbs.
A Sydney Roosters spokeswoman confirmed that people at the club had been treated for mumps.
“Those affected were immediately isolated and have received the necessary course of treatment,” the spokeswoman said.
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In a bid to halt any potential outbreak, the Roosters headquarters has been almost forensically cleaned in recent days. From water bottles, to gym equipment, food preparation areas and even staff desks have been sanitised.
“It is something we have taken extremely seriously with extra precautions taken throughout the facility,” the spokeswoman said.
It is unclear how Aubusson contracted the virus, although it can be spread through the air, by someone sneezing or sharing water bottles. Each Roosters player has their own water bottle.
Aubusson has been told to steer clear for at least 10 days before he is any chance of rejoining his Roosters teammates to complete pre-season training. The most obvious symptom of the mumps is massive facial swelling, while a common sign in adults is severe testicular discomfort. There is no way to treat the virus.
It has been a turbulent week for the premiership favourites after star five-eighth Luke Keary was operated on Wednesday after suffering a broken jaw at training last week.
Despite the setback, Keary is expected to be fit in time for the Roosters’ round one clash against the Wests Tigers on March 10 after the surgery was deemed a success. However, his time away from the training paddock will impact his combination with new halves partner Cooper Cronk.
With Mitchell Pearce and Connor Watson having departed for Newcastle, losing Keary for round one would open the door for the likes of Ryan Matterson, Mitchell Cornish or Lachlan Lam to wear the No. 6 jersey.
The Roosters will take on Penrith in their first preseason trial on February 17.