Reported Increase Mumps Activity in the
United Kingdom: England and Wales
Update: February 7, 2005
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to
monitor increased mumps activity in the United Kingdom (UK).
According to the Health Protection Agency in the UK, in the first four
weeks of 2005, they were notified of 4,891 cases of mumps in England and
Wales, compared to 358 notifications during the same period in 2004. Throughout
the UK, there has been a national rise in the incidence of mumps since
1999, especially among teenagers. The provisional figures for 2004 are 7,625
cases of mumps and, as in recent years, the majority of cases 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 in the UK. 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.
The Health Protection Agency does not expect a reduction in the number
of cases of mumps in the near future.
Source: UK Health Protection Agency,
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
worldwide 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, 87 to 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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