Advice for teenagers and young adults in London as mumps figures increase

27 January 2010

Data for 2009 shows that there were 820 laboratory confirmed cases of mumps in London (January - September data), compared to 439 cases for the whole of 2008.

The HPA is working with universities and further education colleges in an effort to remind students of the importance of the MMR vaccination if they have not been previously protected with two doses of the vaccine.

Dr Graham Fraser, from the HPA in London, is an Epidemiologist who studies trends in infectious diseases. Dr Fraser said: "Cases of mumps have been increasing since 2004 and the latest figures for London show the sharpest rise since a peak in 2005. There is evidence that the disease is spreading in student populations and this is because teenagers and young adults who have not had two doses of the MMR vaccine are vulnerable to infection.

"Some people in this age group were too old to be routinely vaccinated with MMR when it was first introduced in 1988 and some others may only have received one dose. The close mixing that occurs at university and college is ideal for student's social lives and also any infectious diseases they may be carrying. Mumps is therefore able to spread rapidly in those who are not fully immunised.

"However, it's not just students who are at risk and we would urge everyone up to the age of 25 to consult their GP about having two doses of the MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected. MMR also gives immunity to measles and rubella so it's worth speaking to your GP if you can't remember what vaccines you have had in the past."

It should not be forgotten that mumps can be a serious illness. The usual symptoms are a painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands under one or both sides of the jaw, fever and headache. Some people suffer complications that can include inflammation of the pancreas; viral meningitis (inflammation of the brain); inflamed and swollen testicles in men and ovaries in women. Mumps can also cause deafness and, on very rare occasions, people die from mumps.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Mumps figures for London (confirmed by laboratory testing):

   2009: 820 cases (NB. January to September 2009 data)
   2008: 439 cases.
   2007: 150 cases.
   2006: 683 cases.
   2005: 1354 cases.
   2004: 307 cases.

2. General information on mumps can be found on the HPA website at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1191942172901?p=1191942172901

Media enquiries:
Tycie West
020 7759 2834 / 020 7759 2824
tycie.west@hpa.org.uk

Last reviewed: 27 January 2010