UK: mumps outbreaks 2009

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/...umps_in_allerdale_1_580582?referrerPath=news/

Probe into suspected outbreak of mumps in Allerdale

Last updated 08:55, Friday, 10 July 2009

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a suspected mumps outbreak in Allerdale.

So far, from June 15 to June 21, there have been two confirmed cases in Cockermouth, and 11 other suspected cases across the district are being investigated.

In 2008, there were only 29 confirmed cases of mumps across Cumbria.

Dr Nigel Calvert, associate director of public health at NHS Cumbria, said: ?There has been an increase in mumps nationally because of problems with the uptake of MMR vaccinations and that is why we are seeing pockets of outbreaks in Allerdale.

?As people can catch the virus by being in close contact with one another it is common to have outbreaks in places such as universities and colleges and that is the main age group where we have been seeing these outbreaks.?

The virus causes swollen glands in the face and neck, fever and headaches.

Complications that are associated with mumps include fertility problems, deafness, viral meningitis and swelling of the brain.

The best way people can protect themselves from catching mumps is to make sure they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Both doses are usually given to children before starting primary school and one dose does not offer full protection.

People are advised to contact their GP if they are not sure if they have had both doses and arrange a booster.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/07/16/mumps-and-measles-on-the-rise/

Mumps and measles on the rise

cough-medicineMumps and measles are on the increase in Wales with parents being warned to get their children vaccinated as the worst outbreak for more than 20 years continues to spread.

Health officials today said as of Tuesday afternoon the total number of cases of measles in Mid and West Wales was reported as 265 with five of those confirmed to be in Powys.

And the National Public Health Service for Wales said it was also investigating 543 cases of mumps reported in the six months to June 28 this year. In 2008, only 329 cases were reported in the whole of the year.

A drop in the take-up of the triple MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella, is thought to be to blame.

Health officials say more than 45,000 schoolchildren in the country are at risk from contracting measles and mumps as they have not been vaccinated.

Dr Marion Lyons, head of the health protection teams for the NPHS, said: ?The numbers of new cases in Wales being reported each day may seem small but parents should remember that in some recent years in Wales, we have not seen a single case of measles all year, so new cases each day remains a cause for alarm.

?Parents need to be concerned if their children are not vaccinated, regardless of where they live in Wales.?

Meanwhile, GPs have seen a leap of almost 50 per cent in the numbers of people contacting them with fears they have swine flu in the last week.

About 40,000 people a week in England and Wales are now complaining to their doctor of ?flu-like illness?, with a huge rise in the number of young being affected.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...ld-dies-after-being-diagnosed-with-mumps.html


Four-year-old dies after being diagnosed with mumps
Lisa Pollitt, a four-year-old girl from Wythenshawe who had had the MMR vaccine, has died after being diagnosed with mumps, it has emerged.


By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor
Published: 12:21PM BST 06 Aug 2009


The youngster had appeared to be recovering but then suddenly took a turn for the worse and doctors at a hospital in Manchester failed in their battle to save her. The exact cause of death has not yet been established, but deaths following mumps are very rare.

If confirmed, Lisa would be the first death in a mumps patient for more than nine years and over 65,000 cases.

Parents shunned the MMR vaccine followed research that linked it to bowel disorders and autism and there was a resurgence in mumps, with an epidemic in 2005. Measles cases have also risen and doctors are urging parents to ensure their children have had the full two doses of the vaccine.

It is not clear if Lisa had been given two doses of the MMR vaccine and cases of mumps in people who have been fully vaccinated are rare.

Parents Patsy and Danny, from Baguley, told of their horror at the death of their 'bright, bubbly and beautiful' daughter.

They described how their GP informed them Lisa had mumps, but the cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Lisa was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital where medics managed to revive her, but she died hours later.

Patsy, 24, said: "She was so full of life, bright and bubbly and into everything. She was a real tomboy and loved playing with her brothers and ourdog. We can't believe she has gone."

Post-mortem tests have not so far established the cause of death and toxicology tests are now being carried out. The results will not be available for several weeks.

Her paretns have been told by doctors that she could have died because of a rare complication of mumps or a separate virus while her system was weakened.

Lisa had been given the MMR vaccine which should protect against mumps but in rare cases people can still catch it.

Patsy said: "She was a healthy young girl and had suffered no serious illnesses. She woke up with a swollen face and the GP said it was mumps.

"She seemed to be OK, she was eating and even had started playing again.

"Then a week later she was a bit groggy and couldn't get to sleep so I stayed downstairs on the sofa with her.

"Suddenly her lips went blue, she was all pale and was still breathing but a few minutes later she stopped.

"It all happened so quickly. It was terrifying.

"In a way it was good that I had her sleeping with me because if not we would never have known what had happened - at least we knew we had got her medical care immediately. Everyone did everything they could to save her."

Lisa had two brothers, Cameron, five, and Anthony, three, and was due to start at Baguley Hall Primary in September. She was already a pupil at the school's nursery.

Lisa was diagnosed with mumps on July 20. It is incredibly rare to die from the disease, with estimates suggesting one in 10,000 cases.

Patsy said: "It seems so unfair when Lisa had had all her injections that she would get mumps, but the doctors says it happens sometimes and there is a lot of mumps around at the moment.

"We know there are lots of children who haven't been given the injection and I hope that if their parents hear what happened to Lisa they will realise how serious it can be and they will get their children protected and stop it from spreading."

By May this year doctors had recorded 95 cases of mumps across Greater Manchester, with 31 cases in Manchester, 17 in Tameside, 13 in Trafford and 10 in the Ashton, Wigan and Leigh area.

Mumps is a virus which normally affects glands in the mouth and neck, making them swell up and become painful.

It is passed on through saliva and the incubation period is between two and three weeks.

In 30 per cent of cases there are no symptoms and complications include swelling of the ovaries and testes and, although some believe it can cause sterility, there is no evidence of this.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...-mystery-illness-wrongly-diagnosed-mumps.html

Girl, 4, dies of mystery illness after being wrongly diagnosed with mumps

By James Tozer
Last updated at 9:30 AM on 07th August 2009


A four-year-old girl died of a mystery illness after being wrongly diagnosed as having mumps.

The parents of Lisa Pollitt were told by a GP that she had the disease, despite the fact that she had earlier been given the controversial MMR jab.

However tests carried out by the Health Protection Agency concluded that Lisa had almost certainly not contracted mumps.

News of the apparent misdiagnosis will come as a further blow to parents Danny and Patsy, who said Lisa had been ill for a week before her death.


The four-year-old, who had been due to start primary school, had appeared to be on the mend, according to her mother, when she collapsed suddenly and was rushed to hospital.

Doctors managed to revive the girl, but she died hours later.

Further tests are now being carried out to determine the cause of death.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency, which carried out the tests on a swab taken from Lisa, said: 'The first test for mumps has come back negative, so further tests are being carried out.

'We still don't have a definite cause of death, but it's looking very unlikely that she had mumps.

Yesterday her devastated parents spoke of their heartbreak, describing their daughter as 'bright, bubbly and beautiful'.

Mrs Pollitt, 24, said Lisa had woken up with a swollen face last month, and her mother took her to her GP who diagnosed mumps and gave advice on how to keep her comfortable.

The mother, who also has two young sons, said: 'She seemed to be okay, she was eating and even had started playing again.

'Then a week later she was a bit groggy and couldn't get to sleep so I stayed downstairs on the sofa with her.

'Suddenly her lips went blue, she was all pale and was still breathing but a few minutes later she stopped.

'It all happened so quickly. It was terrifying.'

She and her husband, a supermarket worker, took Lisa from their home in Baguley, Manchester, to Wythenshawe Hospital where doctors revived her. Tragically she died just hours later on July 26.

Her parents were told she may have died because of a rare complication of mumps or she may have contracted another virus while her system was weakened by the illness.

'In a way it was good that I had her sleeping with me because if not we would never have known what had happened,' said Mrs Pollitt.

'At least we knew we had got her medical care immediately. Everyone did everything they could to save her.

'She was so full of life, bright and bubbly and into everything. She was a healthy young girl and had suffered no serious illnesses.

'She was a real tomboy and loved playing with her brothers and our dog. We can't believe she has gone.'

Lisa had two brothers, Cameron, five, and Anthony, three, and was due to start at Baguley Hall Primary School next month. She was already a pupil at the school's nursery.

Until the introduction of the controversial three-in-one MMR vaccination in the late-1980s, mumps was a common childhood disease.

Mumps is estimated to be fatal in only one in 10,000 cases, but measles claimed the lives of more than ten children a year before the triple vaccine was brought in.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: 'This is a highly unusual and tragic case and we extend our deepest sympathies to Lisa's parents. We believe our staff did everything they could to save her.'

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...es_and_mumps_cases_soar_in_greater_manchester

MMR plea as measles and mumps cases soar in Greater Manchester

Amanda Crook

August 13, 2009
CASES of measles and mumps are soaring among youngsters in Greater Manchester.

In the first six months of this year, there were 175 confirmed cases of mumps and 48 cases of measles - compared to 12 cases of mumps and 23 of measles in the same time last year.

Mumps mostly affected teenagers and young adults, but measles hits mostly the under fives.

Doctors are warning parents to get children protected with the Measles, Mumps and Rubella triple vaccine.

Dr Paul Cleary, of the Health Protection Agency, said: "We are concerned at the increasing numbers of cases being reported. Children and young adults can be safely protected by two doses of the MMR vaccine.

"Unfortunately, many children have not had this, and we are now seeing more children affected.

"Measles and mumps are very infectious and unpleasant and can cause serious complications, even in healthy children."

Across the north west, 481 confirmed cases of mumps were reported to doctors by the end of July, a 350 per cent increase on 2007. There were 92 cases of measles, compared to only two for the same period two years before.

Children should ideally have a first MMR dose at 13 months and a second before starting school.

But doctors say it is not too late for those who have so far missed out, including teenagers and young adults. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, red eyes, blocked nose and feeling generally unwell, before a blotchy rash appears a few days later.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...ersey-mumps-cases-increasing-100252-24396893/


Mersey mumps cases increasing

Aug 13 2009 Liverpool Echo


MUMPS cases in Merseyside are still on the rise.

There have been 196 cases in Merseyside and Cheshire so far this year, already exceeding the figure for the whole of 2008, when there were 124.

Measles cases are also increasing, with 30 cases reported in the region so far this year. Dr Paul Cleary from the Health Protection Agency said: ?Children and young adults can be safely and effectively protected from measles and mumps by receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine.?

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=170741

Taarabt Mumps Rumour Confirmed

Adel Taarabt will not play a part in the R's forthcoming fixtures owing to a bout of mumps.

There has been feverish speculation with regards to the welfare of the Tottenham Hotspur loanee in recent days and today QPR confirmed that he has contracted mumps.

Taarabt will henceforth miss this weekend's fixture and depending on how long he has had the mumps, he is unlikely to play a part in Rangers' Carling Cup tie with Chelsea.

This is an undoubted blow to QPR's ambitions tomorrow as they must now look to adapt their system and maybe forego Taarabt's free role for a strike duo upfront.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/...=xDefault&itemid=IPED09 Oct 2009 21:27:52:123

Surge in mumps cases causes alarm

LIZZIE PARRY

Last updated: 10/10/2009 12:00:00 PM
PARENTS have been warned of the consequences of not vaccinating their children with the MMR jab after figures revealed a ?worrying? surge in mumps cases.

New figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have revealed a sharp rise in cases of the viral illness from January to July this year.

In Suffolk, there has been a jump of 80%, with 27 recorded cases in that time period compared with 15 cases in 2008.

And in the East of England the rise is 243% from 467 confirmed cases this year compared with just 136 in the same period in 2008.

Hamid Mahgoub, a consultant in communicable diseases for Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire HPA, said the recent outbreak was ?worrying? and reiterated the need for children to be vaccinated.

He said mumps can lead to some very serious complications including meningitis and inflammation of the brain, which can be life-threatening.

?People can be completely protected against if we succeed in all the community being vaccinated with this very effective safe vaccine, which also protects against measles and rubella,? he said.

?The MMR jab is very important, I cannot emphasise it enough.

?We need about 95% of the community vaccinated to ensure the virus does not get the chance to be transmitted.?

Latest figures show that, in Suffolk, 86.6% of two-year-olds are immunised compared to 85.6% in England and 85.6% in the East of England.

For five-year-olds in Suffolk 82.1% of the age group are vaccinated compared to 80% in England and 80.1% in the eastern region.

When uptake of the vaccine is low outbreaks are likely to happen due to the contagious nature of both mumps and measles.

With a high proportion of the community not protected the illnesses can multiply at an alarming rate.

Dr Mahgoub urged parents to make sure their children have had both doses of the MMR jab as soon as possible.

He added: ?It will not only protect against the surge we are seeing at the moment in mumps but also against measles and the serious complications that can arise from mumps.

?It is quite worrying. We really do not want to see this virus being transmitted when we know this can be stopped through the use of this safe and effective vaccine.?



MUMPS is a viral illness which is highly contagious.

Symptoms include fever, headaches, and the commonly associated swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands, located just below the front of the ear.

In some cases infected people suffer swelling of the ovaries and testicles, causing pain and extreme discomfort.

But around one third of infected people, especially children, show no symptoms at all.

The illness, although not life-threatening itself, can cause very serious complications.

They include meningitis, inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal column, encephalitis which is inflammation of the brain, arthritis, kidney problems and deafness.

The illness is contagious seven days before and nine days after the onset of any symptoms.

An infected person is most contagious 48 hours before the appearance of symptoms.

The HPA said young people aged between 15 and 24 years old are most affected in the East of England making up 73% of all cases reported in 2009.

Children should have two doses of MMR to ensure the best protection. The first dose of the vaccine should be given at 13 months old and the second at around three years and four months old.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/4674360.Warning_as_mumps_rises_in_Hertfordshire/

Warning as mumps rises in Hertfordshire
2:28pm Friday 9th October 2009
Photograph of the Author By Alex Lewis ?


HEALTH bosses are urging young people between 15 and 24 to ensure they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine after a sharp increase in cases of mumps in Hertfordshire.

132 Hertfordshire people, mostly between 15 and 24, were diagnosed with the disease, which can kill or badly damage the nerve system, between January and July, in contrast to only 49 in the whole of 2008.

Joe Kearney, regional director for the Health Protection Agency in the East of England, said: ?The only way we?re going to eliminate these infections is by working with parents, young people, colleges and universities to remind them about getting protected with two doses of MMR.

? There are a large number of teenagers and young adults who missed out on vaccination at an earlier age, which is why there are so many cases of mumps in this age group. Ideally we need 95 per cent of the population to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks of these diseases. Young people who haven?t received two doses of MMR should speak to their GP urgently.?

MMR vaccination rates, which dropped sharply in the wake of a now discredited claim of a link with autism in 1998, are now up to 85 per cent nationally, and although mumps is rising, measles has declined sharply this year in Hertfordshire.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/cont...gory=News&itemid=NOED10 Oct 2009 11:40:42:123

Big rise in mumps cases
11 October 2009 08:00

Young people are being warned to make sure they have been properly protected against mumps after a big rise in cases of the disease.

In the East of England there were 467 confirmed cases of mumps in January to July alone, compared with 136 for the whole of last year. In Norfolk there were 14 cases in the first half of the year, compared with 10 last year. In Suffolk there were 27 during January to July, compared with 15 last year. Cambridgeshire has seen a bigger rise, with 82 cases compared to 15 last year.

Most cases of mumps affect 15- 24 year-olds. Mumps causes fever, swelling, and tenderness in the glands, though it is possible to be infected without showing symptoms. Some men suffer from swollen testicles, and it can also lead to complications like meningitis and swelling of the brain.

There has been a small drop in cases of measles locally, although across the region the measles cases may still be higher than last year's by the end of the year. Norfolk in particular has seen a fall in measles cases, with just one case in January to July, compared with 11 last year.

Joe Kearney, regional director for the Health Protection Agency in the East of England, said: ?There are a large number of teenagers and young adults who missed out on vaccination at an earlier age, which is why there are so many cases of mumps in this age group. Ideally we need 95pc of the population to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks of these diseases.

?Children should have two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) to ensure the best protection. The first dose of the vaccine should be given at 13 months of age and the second at around three years and four months of age. Young people who haven't received two doses of MMR should speak to their GP urgently.?

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=455317

Vaccine plea to young as cases of mumps soar
john.downing@cambridge-news.co.uk
THE number of confirmed cases of mumps has risen sharply by 346 per cent in Cambridgeshire.

New figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show there were 82 cases in the county from January to July this year, compared with just 15 in all of 2008.

Health chiefs have urged young people to get vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine.

In the East of England region, 467 confirmed cases of mumps were reported up to July 2009 compared with 136 cases in total in 2008, up by 143 per cent.

The HPA says people aged 15 to 24 are the most affected in the region, accounting for 73 per cent of all cases reported in 2009.

Dr Joe Kearney, regional director for the HPA, said: "The only way we're going to eliminate these infections is by working with parents, young people, colleges and universities to remind them about getting protected with two doses of MMR.

"Ideally we need 95 per cent of the population to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks of these diseases. Young people who haven't received two doses of MMR should speak to their GP urgently."

On a positive note, the HPA reported a decrease in confirmed cases of measles across the region with 70 cases up to July 2009, compared with a total of 90 cases in 2008.

In Cambridgeshire the figure dropped from 11 cases to three.

Young children aged one to nine are most affected in this region, accounting for 64 per cent of reported cases in 2009.

Dr Kearney said: "It's good that we're seeing a decrease in cases of measles but parents must not be complacent.

"We cannot emphasise enough that measles is an illness that can kill, or leave patients with permanent complications including severe brain damage.

"Mumps can cause central nervous system disorders such as encephalitis and meningitis.

"Children should have two doses of MMR to ensure the best protection. The first dose of the vaccine should be given at 13 months of age and the second at around three years and four months of age."

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.heartbedford.co.uk/Article.asp?id=1542159

Massive rise in mumps cases

New figures show there's been a near 3,000% rise in the number of cases of mumps in Bedfordshire.

The East of England Health Protection Agency says there were 2 cases in the county during 2008, but there have been at least 61 already this year.

They say people aged between 15 and 24 are most at risk, with people between those ages being responsible for 73% of cases.

Dr Joe Kearney, Regional Director for the HPA in the East of England said: ?The only way we?re going to eliminate these infections is by working with parents, young people, colleges and universities to remind them about getting protected with two doses of MMR.

"There are a large number of teenagers and young adults who missed out on vaccination at an earlier age, which is why there are so many cases of mumps in this age group.

Ideally we need 95% of the population to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks of these diseases. Young people who haven?t received two doses of MMR should speak to their GP urgently.?

The HPA are also stressing the vaccine is safe, despite some claiming links between MMR and Autism.

Dr Mike Lilly told Heart, "Worldwide there are millions of doses of the vaccine given and there is no convincing evidence of a link to either autism or bowel disease."

Click here to read more from the NHS about the safety of the vaccine

The HPA also provided this information about mumps:

"Mumps is an acute viral illness characterised by fever, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands. Symptoms of mumps include fever, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands, usually the parotid gland (located just below the front of the ear).

Approximately one-third of infected people do not exhibit symptoms. Swelling of the testicles occurs in 15 to 25% of infected males. Mumps can cause central nervous system disorders such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal column).

Other complications include arthritis, kidney involvement, inflammation of the thyroid gland and breasts and deafness. Mumps is contagious seven days prior to and nine days after the onset of the symptoms. A person is most contagious 48 hours prior to the appearance of symptoms."

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/4692857.Rise_in_mumps_in_Cumbria/

Rise in mumps in Cumbria

4:37pm Tuesday 20th October 2009


YOUNG people in Cumbria are being urged check they?re fully vaccinated for mumps as the number of cases this year is already double 2008's total.

In the last month, over 40 newly suspected cases of mumps were found in the Allerdale area, predominantly among 15-24-year-olds.

So far this year there has been 106 confirmed or suspected cases of mumps across Cumbria compared to 53 in 2008.

Mumps is a virus which causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands in the face, neck and jaw. Although most cases of mumps are mild, some people can experience complications and these can be serious.

Dr Nigel Calvert, an associate director of public health at NHS Cumbria, said: ?In the last few years there's has been a noticeable increase in the number of cases of mumps, particularly in teenagers and young adults. This can be a concern as mumps is a virus which can easily spread and in some cases affect fertility.

"If you've just started at a new school, college or university or if you're not sure if you've had both doses of MMR, please go see your doctor and get a booster. Mumps can make you feel very ill and it's so easy to avoid catching it."

The best way to protect from catching mumps is to make sure you've had two doses of the MMR vaccine. Both doses are usually given to children before they start primary school and one dose alone will not offer full protection. If you're not sure if you've had both doses, contact your GP and ask for a booster MMR injection.

MMR vaccine take up in young children across Cumbria is over 95 per cen

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Mumps-cases-rise/article-1528033-detail/article.html


Mumps cases rise
Thursday, November 19, 2009, 08:50

CHILDREN and young adults are being advised to ensure they are protected against mumps, following a large increase in cases.

The call comes from The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in the East Midlands, which is advising people to take up the two doses of the MMR vaccine after an increase of more than 1,000 cases.

New figures from the HPA show there were 1586 notifications of mumps reported up to September 2009, compared to 504 notifications in 2008.

The HPA says older teenagers and young adults aged 15-24 years old are most affected in the East Midlands.

Dr Vanessa MacGregor, a Consultant in Communicable Disease with the Health Protection Agency said: "The majority of mumps cases have either not been immunised with the MMR vaccine or have only one dose."

The HPA also reports the number of confirmed cases of measles has increased only slightly this year. A total of 52 cases were reported to the HPA up to September 2009, compared to a total of 48 cases in 2008.

"Although the number of cases of measles has not seen a dramatic increase this year, we must not be complacent," said Dr MacGregor.

" The only way to protect children and young adults from what can be serious illnesses is to make sure they are fully immunised against them."

Dr MacGregor said measles is an illness that can kill, or leave patients with permanent complications including severe brain damage. Mumps can cause central nervous system disorders such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis.

For more information about Mumps and Measles visit the Health Protection Agency website at www.hpa.org.uk.

To find out more about immunisation visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/4...rotect_against_mumps_as_infection_rates_soar/

Wirral teenagers and young adults advised to protect against mumps as infection rates soar

3:10pm Wednesday 16th December 2009
By Craig Manning ?


THE Health Protection Agency North West is advising teenagers and young adults to protect themselves against mumps as cases soar throughout the region.

Figures for Cheshire and Merseyside show that by the end of November there 1200 reported cases, with 586 reported cases at the same time last year.

The HPA is working closely with universities and colleges of further education in an effort to persuade unprotected students of the importance of MMR vaccination.

Professor Qutub Syed, director of HPA North West, said: "We have seen a sharp rise in the figures this year and teenagers and young adults who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine are particularly vulnerable.

"There is evidence in parts of the region that the disease is spreading in student populations.

"That is why we are working closely with the universities and colleges of further education to inform students about mumps and to explain why vaccination is important.

"However, it's not just students who are at risk and we would urge everyone up to the age of 25 to consult their family doctors about having two doses of MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected. MMR also gives immunity to measles and rubella."

The usual symptoms are a painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands under one or both sides of the jaw, fever and headache.

Some people suffer complications that can include inflammation of the pancreas and viral meningitis. Mumps can also cause deafness.

On very rare occasions, people die from mumps.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, the HPA's North West Immunisation Lead, said: "Mumps is increasing despite our best efforts and unvaccinated teenagers and young adults aged 14-25 are vulnerable.

"Our advice is that they should seek an appointment with their GPs about MMR vaccination. It isn't too late."

A reported case is a case diagnosed by a GP or hospital doctor and reported to the Health Protection Agency.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/4801890.Warning_for_young_as_mumps_cases_rocket_in_the_region/

Warning for young as mumps cases rocket in the region

2:30pm Thursday 17th December 2009

STUDENTS in Bolton are being urged to get protected after a big rise in mumps throughout the region.

Cases are on the rise in the North West, particularly in Greater Manchester, and 14 to 25-year-olds are most affected, with many in universities and colleges.

The Health Protection Agency has revealed that Greater Manchester has had 747 cases of mumps to week 48 this year, compared to 318 last year. In Bolton, there have been 28 cases in 2009, up from 16 in 2008.

Mumps is a serious condition, with symptoms including painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands under one or both sides of the jaw, fever and headache. Some people suffer complications and, on very rare occasions, patients can die.

Students not currently protected by two doses of MMR are advised to see their GP over the holiday period to arrange to be vaccinated, looking after their own health and preventing the spread of the infection.

 

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Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/loca.../18/kirklees-mumps-cases-soar-86081-25418811/


Kirklees mumps cases soar

Dec 18 2009 by Anne-Marie Senior, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MUMPS cases have tripled in a year, latest figures show.

The number of people in West Yorkshire suffering the illness has sharply risen from 93 in 2008 to 274 so far this year.

Now health experts are urging young people to make sure they are fully protected, as they are most at risk.

Dr Stephen Morton, regional director of the Health Protection Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: ?As universities and colleges break for the Christmas holidays and teenagers and young adults return home, we?re urging them to ensure they have had two doses of the MMR ?measles, mumps and rubella ? vaccination before going back to university or college, as these people are particularly vulnerable.

?All health protection units across the region have reported a rise in cases in the past year and as the disease is known to spread in student populations, the HPA is working closely with universities and colleges of further education to inform students about mumps and to explain why vaccination is important.?

There have been 590 cases of mumps in the Yorkshire and Humber region alone this year, compared with just 187 in 2008.

A national increase in mumps among older teenagers and young adults in their early twenties began a few years ago as the group had missed out on the mumps vaccination as babies because the MMR jab was not introduced until 1988.

Dr Morton added: ?MMR also gives immunity to measles and rubella and it?s not just students who are at risk.

?We would urge all teenagers and young adults to consult their family doctors about having two doses of MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected.

?Mumps should not be treated lightly. It can be a severe disease, with potential for serious side-effects including viral meningitis, long term hearing problems and painful swelling of the testicles in males and the ovaries in females.?

The symptoms of mumps include painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands around the jaw, fever and headache.

Teenagers and young adults should make sure they have had two doses of the MMR vaccination by asking their GP surgery to check their records.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.nursingtimes.net/special...mps-cases-spike-in-north-east/5009827.article


MMR vaccine call as mumps cases spike in North East

18 December, 2009

Residents in the North East have been advised to consult their GPs about having the MMR vaccine after a rise in the number of cases of mumps reported in the past year.

Figures released by the Health Protection Agency have revealed that more than 100 cases of mumps were reported in November, roughly double the number recorded in the same period last year.

The spike in the number of cases has prompted health officials to call on residents to consult their GPs about having the MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected.

Julie Waller, from the Health Protection Agency, said: ?We have seen a sharp rise in the figures this year and teenagers and young adults who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine are particularly vulnerable.

?There is evidence, particularly in Newcastle, that the disease is spreading in student populations.

?However, it?s not just students who are at risk and we would urge everyone to consult their family doctors about having two doses of MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected.

?There are still many teenagers and young adults out there who would not have been vaccinated as toddlers and remain unprotected.

?Unfortunately this means that mumps, which is highly infectious, is spreading easily among the under 25s.?

 

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/mumps_warning_1_652423?referrerPath=news/

Mumps warning

Published at 10:27, Saturday, 19 December 2009

STUDENTS at university and college sites across the county are being warned about the dangers of mumps as cases soar across the region.

So far this year there have been 802 reported cases of mumps in Cumbria and Lancashire, compared to just 379 during 2008.

Young adults and teenagers are particularly at risk.

The Health Protection Agency North West is now working with colleges and universities to encourage students to get protected.

Staff hope to persuade young people of the importance of MMR vaccination, the uptake of which has dropped in recent years following widespread national concerns which proved to be unfounded.

Professor Qutub Syed, director of HPA North West, said: ?We have seen a sharp rise in the figures this year and teenagers and young adults who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine are particularly vulnerable. There is evidence in parts of the region that the disease is spreading in student populations.

?That is why we are working closely with the universities and colleges of further education to inform students about mumps and explain why vaccination is important.

?However, it?s not just students who are at risk and we would urge everyone up to the age of 25 to consult their family doctor about having two doses of MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected.?

MMR also gives immunity to measles and rubella. Mumps is a serious illness.

The usual symptoms are a painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands under one or both sides of the jaw, fever and headache.

Some people suffer complications. Mumps can also cause deafness. On rare occasions, people can even die from it.

Of the 809 cases reported in the region during 2009, 341 were confirmed by laboratory tests. In 2008 there were 379, with 97 officially confirmed.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk

 

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Re: UK: mumps outbreaks

Source: http://www.thestar.co.uk/doncaster/Call-to-vaccinate-kids-after.5940619.jp


Call to vaccinate kids after mumps increase

Published Date: 28 December 2009
By Staff Copy

PUBLIC health bosses in Doncaster have sounded an alert over mumps after figures from Health Protection Agency showed a sharp increase in Yorkshire cases of the disease in 2009.
South Yorkshire showed the lowest figure in the county, but Dr Tony Baxter, Doncaster's Joint Director of Public Health, today warned of the need for children to be immunised.

The South Yorkshire figure of 105 cases was the highest for three years, and more than four times the 2007 figure of 25.

As a whole, figures show there have been 590 confirmed cases of mumps in the Yorkshire and Humber region so far for 2009, a threefold increase when compared to the 187 confirmed cases reported the previous year.

Dr Tony Baxter, Doncaster's joint director of public health, said: "Mumps should not be treated lightly.

"Before the MMR vaccine was introduced, about 1,200 people a year in the UK went into hospital because of mumps and mumps was the commonest cause of viral meningitis in children.

"The MMR vaccine has been thoroughly investigated, is very safe and gives immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. We would urge all teenagers and young adults to consult their family doctors about having two doses of the vaccine if they are currently unprotected. Information about MMR and other vaccines is available on www.immunisation.nhs.uk"

Dr Stephen Morton, regional director for HPA Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "As universities and colleges break for the Christmas holidays and teenagers and young adults return home, we're urging them to ensure they have had two doses of the MMR – measles, mumps and rubella – vaccination before going back to university or college, as these people are particularly vulnerable.

"All Health Protection Units across the region have reported a rise in cases in the past year and as the disease is known to spread in student populations, the HPA is working closely with universities and colleges of further education to inform students about mumps and to explain why vaccination is important."

In recent years, an increase in cases of mumps amongst older teenagers and young adults in their early 20s has been reported nationally. This is because some people in this age group were too old to be routinely vaccinated with MMR when it was first introduced in 1988."