Mumps cases worryingly high in Greater Manchester

Mumps is increasing across the North West with 287 cases confirmed in 2008, compared to 159 in 2007.

So far in 2009, there have already been 223 notified cases in Greater Manchester, 34 of which have been confirmed and this figure is expected to rise. This compares to 68 notifications in the same period of last year, of which just four were confirmed by laboratory testing.

The Health Protection Agency North West is concerned that many older children and teenagers in the Greater Manchester area missed out on the MMR vaccine as toddlers and remain vulnerable to infection.

This is worrying because mumps is a serious, often very painful illness that can lead to complications including viral meningitis, long term hearing problems and painful swelling of the testicles in males and the ovaries in females.

There is also no treatment for mumps, apart from the alleviation of pain and fever.

Dr. Rosemary McCann, the HPA’s Regional Immunisation Lead said: “Every child should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, one at 13 – 15 months and a second before starting school. Parents are increasingly recognising the importance of having their children vaccinated at the recommended age and uptake rates are increasing, but we have a large pool of older children and teenagers who are not protected.

“In 2009, we are continuing to see a sharp rise in mumps cases compared to last year. Most cases are in the over 15s and many are students at colleges and universities.

“Our message to these older unprotected children is that it is not too late. Anyone up to the age of 18 is entitled to vaccination on the NHS. Parents of children who are not protected can arrange vaccination through their family doctor.”