Reported Increase in Mumps Activity in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland
Released: December 13, 2004
The Public Health Agency of Canada is currently monitoring increased mumps activity in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland.
In the UK there has been a national rise in the incidence of mumps since 1999, especially among teenagers. From January to September of 2004, 3 756 confirmed cases of mumps were reported and as in recent years, the majority of cases (more than 70%) were among teenagers and young adults (born 1982-1990). In 1999, 372 confirmed cases were reported. In 2002, 495 cases were reported and in 2003, 1 529 cases were reported.
The reason for this continuing rise in mumps cases among teenagers and young adults is because this age group was too old to have been offered the combined Measles - Mumps - Rubella (MMR) vaccine when it was introduced in 1988. Most only received the combined Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine. In addition, many were not eligible for a second dose of MMR which was introduced in 1996.
In the Republic of Ireland there has been an increase in reports of mumps among teenagers and young adults. Annually, the Republic of Ireland reports approximately 40 cases of mumps. As of November 19th, 2004, 153 cases of mumps were reported. A number of educational institutions are reporting outbreaks. The cases appear to be occurring in individuals who were never immunized or only received one dose of MMR.
The UK has responded by making people aware of the need for immunization through public awareness campaigns and by opening immunization clinics on university campuses across the UK. In Ireland, local public health officials are working closely with college health services to provide information and advice on how to prevent mumps , and administering vaccine to those most at risk of infection.
Source: UK Health Protection Agency, Ireland - National Disease Surveillance Centre
Mumps is an acute viral disease with symptoms that include fever, swelling, and tenderness of one or more salivary glands under the jaw and in the cheeks. It is spread by direct contact with or inhalation of the secretions from an infected person's nose or mouth. A vaccine is available to protect against mumps.
Mumps occurs worldwide. People living in colder climates are especially susceptible between November and March. Where national vaccination programs have been implemented, the number of mumps cases has dramatically declined in all age groups and the risk of infection is greatest among older, unvaccinated groups. Additional information on mumps can be accessed via the Public Health Agency's Notifiable Diseases On-Line web-page.
In Canada, outbreaks were reported in 1997 and 1998. The outbreak in 1997 occurred among university students in British Columbia and the outbreak in 1998 occurred in Quebec among school children from families who had recently emigrated from countries where mumps vaccine was not included in the routine childhood immunization program.
Between 1999 and 2001, between 87-102 cases of mumps were reported annually. In 2002, 205 cases were reported. This increase was due to a localized outbreak of 193 cases of mumps in Alberta in a largely unimmunized population who declined vaccination for philosophical reasons.
Recommendations
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that Canadian international travellers seek the advice of their personal physician or travel clinic prior to travel for an individual risk assessment to determine their individual health risks and their need for vaccination, preventative medication and personal protective measures.
For all travel, travellers should ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations - including diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella - are up to date.
Canadians travelling to the UK at this time, especially those who will be spending time in educational settings, should ensure that their mumps vaccination status is up to date. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends vaccination of all children at 12 months of age with a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) followed by a booster dose at either 18 months of age or at 4 to 6 years of age.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends as well that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada should seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician, without being asked, that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.
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