Vaccination plea to young people as Mumps figures rise sharply

18 December 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West is advising unprotected teenagers and young adults up to the age of 25 in Greater Manchester to ask their family doctors for vaccination with MMR vaccine.

The advice is being issued in response to an upsurge in mumps in teenagers and young adults. The Agency recorded 27 cases in Greater Manchester in the past week, compared to the usual weekly average of 10-15 cases.

Dr. Rosemary McCann, Consultant with the HPA's Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit, said: "Mumps appears to be increasing and teenagers and young adults aged 14-25 who have not previously had two doses of MMR vaccine are vulnerable. They should consult their GPs and arrange to be protected now. It isn't too late.

"Mumps is a serious disease that should not be taken lightly. It can be painful and it can lead to complications such as viral meningitis and inflammation of the testicles in men and the ovaries in women."

The upsurge in mumps in Greater Manchester coincides with a large current outbreak of measles in Central and Eastern Cheshire. There was a large outbreak of measles in the Blackpool area of Lancashire earlier in the year and smaller outbreaks and sporadic cases have been recorded elsewhere in the region. That is why is so important for children and young adults to be protected by MMR vaccine.

Note to editors

Mumps symptoms are: painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands under one or both sides of the jaw, fever and headache.

Possible complications of mumps are: inflammation of the pancreas, inflammation of the brain (viral meningitis), inflammation of the testicles or ovaries. It can cause deafness. It is very rare, but in a very small number of cases, people have died from mumps.

Press release issued by Hugh Lamont, Communications Manager, HPA North West, tel. 0151-482-5728 (office) or 07764-906508 (mobile).

Last reviewed: 18 December 2008