FAIRFIELD — Eight Sacred Heart University students have confirmed cases of mumps, the state's health department said Thursday.

The cases were confirmed through laboratory testing, according to the state Department of Public Health. A ninth student from another university in Connecticut who spent time with the sick students also has a confirmed case of the illness, the agency said. Health officials didn't name the school in a press release.

In addition, nine more Sacred Heart students who have had close contact with the ill students are experiencing the symptoms of mumps and probably have the illness, the health department said.

The agency and the Fairfield Health Department have been working with the Sacred Heart University Wellness Center to investigate the outbreak.

In recent months, several colleges and universities throughout the country have reported outbreaks of mumps, including schools in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and New York.

Mumps is a highly-contagious respiratory disease. Those who are infected can spread it for up to two days before and five days after symptoms develop, the health department said. Symptoms typically don't appear until 16-18 days after infection.

Children are routinely vaccinated for mumps at 12 through 15 months of age, and again at 4 through 6 years. Vaccination is required for school attendance in Connecticut.

"The best protection against mumps is to get vaccinated," said Dr. Raul Pino, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health. "In a school setting, it is especially important to wash your hands often and avoid sharing items, such as cups and utensils."

"With the end of the school semester approaching, and students dispersing to other locations for the summer, it is important for Connecticut residents to take steps to protect themselves against this highly contagious respiratory disease," Pino said.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include swollen, painful salivary glands on one or both sides of the face, pain while chewing and swallowing, fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, weakness and fatigue.