Following a continued increase in cases of mumps among teenagers and young adults in recent years, the Health Protection Agencys local teams have been working with schools and universities where outbreaks have taken place, to ensure that students are vaccinated.
During the first three quarters of 2004, 3756 confirmed cases of mumps were reported and as in recent years, the majority of cases (more than 70 percent) were among teenagers and young adults (born 1982 -1990). There has been an increase in cases since 1999, when 372 were reported, compared to 495 cases in 2002 and 1529 cases in 2003. However, in each of the three years prior to 1999 between 100 and 200 cases were reported.
Dr. Mary Ramsay, who is responsible for monitoring the MMR program said, This continuing increase of mumps cases is largely amongst teenagers and young adults who are too old to have been offered the MMR vaccine routinely, as they were at toddler age in 1988, when the vaccine was introduced.
These young adults will be mainly protected against measles and rubella, however only a few will have received MMR vaccine and therefore will be protected against mumps. Most will have had the combined MR vaccine (measles and rubella vaccine) and hardly any will have been eligible for a second dose of MMR (which was introduced in 1996), which is important in securing good levels of protection.
As those in this group have grown older, these cases have moved from being mainly in secondary schools, to being in further education colleges and universities. This increase is not due to the decline in MMR vaccine uptake, however, it does illustrate clearly why it is so important that children are given good protection against all three diseases.
The Health Protection Agency and the Department of Health recommend that school leavers and others in this age group who have not received MMR vaccine, or have only had one dose should be offered MMR."
For further information on mumps please go to:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/mumps/menu.htm
Source: HPA
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.