Young people advised to get vaccinated as HPSC warns of mumps outbreak
The HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Tuesday) warned all young people, particularly second and third level students, to make sure that they are protected against mumps following a huge rise in cases since the start of 2009.
Already 848 cases have been reported since January compared to just 62 for the same period in 2008, according to specialist in public health medicine, Dr Suzanne Cotter.
"To be protected you need to have had two doses of MMR vaccine or to have previously had the mumps. There is no other way that you can be protected.
"We have seen an on-going increase in mumps throughout 2008, and now 2009, especially in third level colleges. It appears that relatively few students are taking up the free vaccine provided by the HSE through student services and GPs, despite previous alerts about getting protected against the disease. All students and staff in colleges, universities and schools and who have not had two doses of MMR and who can't remember having mumps, should see the student health service or their own GP for the vaccine. Anyone who is not sure about their vaccination status needs to get another dose to be on the safe side.
"So far this year, at least 14 cases - all male - have been hospitalised as a result of mumps infection, mainly because of orchitis (inflammation of the testes). Many other young people have been severely affected by mumps since the outbreak began, leading to missed work and lectures, with potentially serious consequences for academic performance and interference with exams.
"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.
"Anyone who has mumps should stay off for five days after the onset of swollen glands," added Dr Cotter.
Students need to get MMR jab following rise in mumps cases - HPSC
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Wednesday) warned all students to make sure that they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine following an increase in the number of mumps cases reported in recent weeks.
Mumps has been on the increase since the beginning of 2008, particularly in the under 25 year age group. Students starting or returning to college shortly are particularly vulnerable following at least seven outbreaks in third level colleges this year, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr. Joan O'Donnell.
"New students who haven't been vaccinated or who haven't had mumps need to talk to their GP or student health service about getting protected. So far this year 459 cases have been reported, 22 of whom were admitted to hospital. Almost 60% of cases have been in 10 to 24 year olds.
"This follows 142 cases in 2007, well down on 1079 in 2005 which came after a nationwide outbreak that year. It appears that most of these cases caught mumps 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.
"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. Anyone who has mumps should stay off for nine days after the onset of swollen glands," added Dr O'Donnell.
Students need to get MMR jab following mumps outbreaks in third level colleges - HPSC
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Tuesday) warned students to make sure they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine following at least seven mumps outbreaks in third level colleges this year.
Mumps has been on the increase since the beginning of 2008, and students under 25, particularly new students, who haven't been vaccinated or who haven't had mumps need to talk to their GP or student health service about getting protected, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Suzanne Cotter.
"153 mumps cases - mostly in the 15-24 age group - were reported to HPSC in the first 16 weeks of 2008, four of which were admitted to hospital. This follows 150 cases in 2007, well down on 1079 in 2005 which came after a nationwide outbreak that year. It appears that most of these cases caught mumps 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.
"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.
Teenagers and young adults must get MMR jab as mumps exceeds 1000 cases in 2008 - HPSC
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Tuesday) warned teenagers and young adults to make sure that they have had two doses of MMR vaccine following over 1000 cases of the disease in 2008.
1166 cases have been reported so far compared with 132 for the same period last year and MMR vaccination is the only way to tackle this increase, says HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Suzanne Cotter.
"The huge rise in cases - nearly 60% of whom are between 15 and 24 years old - highlights once again the importance of getting vaccinated with two doses of MMR, which are needed to minimize the risk of infection. This is especially important for all teenagers and young adults, particularly students in schools and colleges following at least seven outbreaks in third level colleges this year.
"Anyone who has not had two doses of MMR needs to talk to their GP or student health service about getting protected. People who are not sure about their vaccination status should get another dose to be on the safe side. The vaccine is free although an administration fee may apply for non-medical card holders.
"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. Anyone who has mumps should stay off for five days after the onset of swollen glands," added Dr Cotter.
