Mumps Warning for Students

Students are being warned to make sure they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine following at least seven mumps outbreaks in third level colleges this year.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) says mumps has been on the increase since the beginning of 2008. Students under 25, particularly new students, who haven’t been vaccinated or who haven’t had mumps are most at risk and are advised to talk to their GP or student health service about vaccination.

According to HPSC figures 153 mumps cases were reported in the first 16 weeks of 2008. This compares to 150 cases for the whole of 2007. Most cases were in the 15-24 age group and were caught in third level colleges or secondary schools.

“MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella and two doses are needed to protect against infection. Anyone who is not sure about their vaccination status needs to get another dose to be on the safe side. The vaccine is free, although an administration fee may apply for non medical card holders,” said Dr Suzanne Cotter, HPSC specialist in public health medicine.

“Mumps is a contagious acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands. Complications are usually mild but it can cause meningitis, deafness, and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or pancreas. Students need to be aware that the best way to avoid it is to get vaccinated,” added Dr Cotter.

Posted Monday 19th May 2008