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Mumps in the United Kingdom
Monday, 19 October, 2009
The Health Protection Agency of the United Kingdom is recommending that college and university students ensure that they are protected against mumps due to an increase in mumps cases in Bedfordshire in the English midlands. In the first half of 2009, 61 cases were reported; this compares with only two cases reported in the county in 2008. In the east of England, 467 confirmed mumps cases were reported up to July 2009; this compares with a total of 136 cases in 2008. The age group most affected in the area is 15-24 years, accounting for 73% of all cases reported in 2009.
This recommendation is of importance to young travellers to the United Kingdom for holiday, work or study. It applies particularly to those who may be in dormitory accommodation. Since the early eighties children in Australia have had two inoculations with the combined mumps-measles-rubella vaccine (MMR)one at the age of 12 months and one in early adolescence at school. Some may have missed out on one or other of these immunisations and if in doubt a simple blood test will determine whether another MMR inoculation is required.
