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  • UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

    Note: 2009 articles on UK mumps outbreaks are Here

    Source: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Students-h...ise.5956949.jp


    Students hit by 'alarming' rise in mumps
    Published Date:
    06 January 2010
    By Aasma Day, Health Reporter

    Young people in Preston were today put on high alert following an alarming rise in mumps cases.
    Health chiefs have revealed that cases of the highly infectious disease have been rocketing in the city with 28 cases seen in just two weeks.


    Usually, health experts only see around two to three mumps cases a week.

    During the whole of 2008, there were 38 cases in Preston and in 2007, there were 15 mumps cases reported in the city.

    But in 2009, Preston saw a worrying 130 cases of the disease and now there seems to be a further outbreak.

    The recent mumps outbreak is hitting young people and one of the victims is a student at UCLan while other affected people are pupils at Sixth Form colleges in the Preston area.

    The soaring mumps cases are concerning as the illness can lead to complications such as meningitis, deafness and infertility.

    Dr Ken Lamden, immunisation lead for the Health Protection Agency Cumbria and Lancashire, said: "We tend to see around two to three mumps cases a week at this time of year, but there has been a definite increase of cases in the last few weeks and we saw 28 cases within a two-week period.

    "There is an ever present risk of mumps and for some reason, at times, this flares into an outbreak.

    "We would urge young people to make sure they have received both doses of the MMR vaccine to protect themselves against mumps.

    "We are not sure why there has been a rise in mumps cases in Preston recently. It could be down to the increased socialising over Christmas and New Year, but other areas do not seem to be affected as badly as Preston.

    "The rise in cases is a cause for concern as not only is mumps and unpleasant and infectious illness, it can lead to some serious complications."

    Mumps is highly infectious and spreads easily through coughs and sneezes. It causes swelling of the salivary glands in the neck and can also cause swelling of the testes, ovaries and pancreas.

    Mumps can lead to complications including meningitis and deafness and infertility in men.

    Students are more susceptible to mumps as, when they were younger, there was only one dose of MMR given to young people, so they do not have full protection.

  • #2
    Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

    Source: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Students-h...-in.6019551.jp

    Thursday, 28th January 2010


    Students hit by surge in mumps cases

    Published Date:
    27 January 2010
    By Aasma Day, Health Reporter

    Mumps cases are rocketing in a Lancashire area with more than 50 new outbreaks in just three weeks.

    Health chiefs are urging young people to be extra vigilant as cases of the highly infectious disease are soaring.

    In the first three weeks of January, health protection bosses received 51 mumps notifications from Preston and the surrounding areas.

    The disease is predominantly affecting the 16 to 25-year-old age group and outbreaks have hit several colleges, as well as young working adults.

    The latest surge is particularly worrying, as usually experts only see around two to three cases of mumps at this time of year.

    In the whole of 2008 there were 38 mumps cases in Preston and in 2007 the city saw just 15 cases reported.

    However, in 2009 130 cases were seen in Preston ? and now there have been 51 in just the first three weeks of 2010.

    Mumps can lead to complications such as meningitis, deafness and infertility.


    Dr Ken Lamden, immunisation lead for the Health Protection Agency in Cumbria and Lancashire, said: "We have had another flare-up of mumps cases and it is predominantly in the Preston area.

    "The affected people are a mixture of students at the University of Central Lancashire, pupils at Sixth Form colleges and young people who are not at college or university but socialise with friends who are."

    Mumps is highly infectious and spreads easily through coughs and sneezes.

    It causes swelling of the saliva glands in the neck and can also cause swelling of the testes, ovaries and pancreas.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

      Source: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/...mps_in_Bolton/

      New warning over mumps in Bolton
      11:21am Wednesday 3rd February 2010

      THE Health Protection Agency has renewed its call for teenagers and young adults to protect themselves against mumps, after ?alarming? new figures showed the North West is the worst hit area in England and Wales.

      Confirmed cases of the condition soared from 395 in 2008 to 1,376 in 2009. More than 900 of those cases involved people aged 15-24.

      The HPA wants everyone up to the age of 25 to contact their GP about having two doses of the MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected.

      Mumps is a serious condition which, on rare occasions, can prove fatal.

      Symptoms include a painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands under one or both sides of the jaw, fever and headache.

      Professor Qutub Syed, director of HPA North West, said: ?These latest figures, which reveal how the North West compares with the rest of the country, make for alarming reading.

      ?We have seen an upsurge in the cases of mumps in the region and the evidence suggests that those unprotected people aged 15-24 are particularly vulnerable.

      ?For that reason we are re-doubling our efforts to educate young people that vaccination is important.?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

        Source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/50312...oar_in_Sussex/

        Mumps cases soar in Sussex
        2:10pm Friday 26th February 2010
        By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter ?


        Health bosses are warning people to get themselves vaccinated after cases of mumps rocketed by more than 50% in a year.

        Those most at risk are young adults too old to have had a routine measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination as children.

        The number of cases have been rising because those at risk are often in college or university.

        When a large number of people live in semi-closed institutions, it allows the disease to pass more easily from person to another.

        As the susceptible group is a large one, the number of cases is expected to continue to grow over the next few years.

        There are also concerns that children whose parents chose not to let them have the MMR jab because of fears it could cause autism, may also be at risk.

        There were 139 confirmed cases of mumps across Sussex in 2009, with 70 in West Sussex, 42 in East Sussex and 27 in Brighton and Hove.

        In 2008 the total was 88 and so far this year there have been 12 cases.

        The sharp increase is mainly down to an outbreak of mumps at the University of Chichester at the start of 2009, which led to dozens of students being sent home after falling ill.

        Before the introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1988, mumps was a common childhood infection that was responsible for 1,200 hospital admissions a year in England and Wales.

        After the MMR vaccine was introduced as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme, the number of mumps cases fell sharply, with less than 100 cases reported in 1996.

        However, in recent years, there has been a surge in the incidence of mumps, and in 2005, there was a mumps epidemic that resulted in more than 43,000 cases in England and Wales.

        Complications of mumps can include sterility in men, meningitis and deafness.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

          Source: http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/...ses.6102699.jp


          MMR plea as disease cases rise
          Published Date: 02 March 2010
          By ANNA SMITH

          HEALTH workers have urged parents to protect their children with the MMR jab as cases of mumps and measles rise across the region.
          There were 1,283 diagnosed cases of mumps in the north east last year, with 50 percent of those in the NHS North of Tyne area.

          The increase follows the largest outbreak of measles in the region for 20 years, with 131 confirmed cases in 2009.


          Both illnesses can be prevented by two doses of the MMR vaccine.

          Acting Executive Director of Public Health for NHS North of Tyne Sue Gordon said: "We would urge everyone to consult their family doctors about having two doses of MMR vaccine if they are currently unprotected.

          "It's never too late to get your child vaccinated. If they've missed out on MMR in the past it's always possible for them to catch up. Just contact your GP."

          Measles is a potentially serious illness, which can be fatal in rare cases. It is highly infectious.

          Mumps can also be serious and can lead to complications such as inflammation of the pancreas, viral meningitis, inflamed and swollen testicles or ovaries and deafness.

          A total of 89.6 percent of children eligible for the vaccine in Northumberland have received both doses by their fifth birthday, below the 95 per cent Government target, which the World Health Organisation advises is necessary to prevent the widespread return of measles.



          Page 1 of 1

          * Last Updated: 25 February 2010 12:37 PM
          * Source: Morpeth Herald
          * Location: Morpeth

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

            Source: http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/...spx?news=local

            Measles and mumps cases quadruple in one year

            KENT NEWS: Just weeks after we warned of the importance of getting children immunised with the MMR jab, figures have revealed how cases of mumps and measles have rocketed.

            New figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show that infections of measles, which can prove fatal, more than quadrupled in Kent, from 27 in 2008 to 111 last year.

            Cases of mumps similarly rose from 34 to 183 over the same period.

            The increase has been blamed on families not protecting their children with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations after Andrew Wakefield published his spurious research linking the jab to autism in 1998.

            After two recent rulings the controversy surrounding the vaccine has finally officially been disproven, the NHS is hoping parental trust in the jab and ?herd immunity? to the diseases can be restored.

            Meanwhile, Dr James Thallon, medical director at NHS West Kent and a Tunbridge Wells-based GP, said he was not surprised by the HPA figures showing the recent rocketing of measles and mumps cases.

            "We?ve been vulnerable to these increases for a while," he said. "We?ve been under-vaccinating for quite a number of years since the Wakefield report...

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

              Source: http://www.cherwell.org/content/10107

              Mumps outbreak hits Oxford
              by Camilla Turner | 23:42 GMT, Sun 14 March 2010

              A mumps outbreak among the student population of Oxford has been recorded this week, with many students having to leave University before the end of term.

              In the first week of March there were 27 recorded cases of mumps, a dramatic rise from previous months.


              Thames Valley Health Protection Unit said in a statement, "The outbreak is the result of poor immunity amongst the student group and the easy spread of the virus between students."

              The issue is now being investigated at both Oxford and Oxford Brookes University...

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

                Source: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/506...5_catch_virus/


                Oxford's student population in mumps alarm as 45 catch virus
                5:30pm Monday 15th March 2010


                HEALTH officials are trying to contain an outbreak of mumps among Oxford?s student population.

                Forty-one Students from Oxford University and four from Oxford Brookes have contracted the virus since February 27.


                Each case has been reported to the Health Protection Agency and all of the students have been sent home to recover...

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

                  Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...in-a-year.html


                  Mumps cases 'triple in a year'
                  Three times as many cases of mumps were reported last year as in the previous 12 months, new figures show.


                  By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent
                  Published: 3:35PM GMT 19 Mar 2010

                  There were 7,628 confirmed cases in 2009, up from 2,405 in 2008.

                  Many of the cases were among university students living together in halls or other shared accommodation.

                  This group were too old to have received the MMR (measles, mumps and ruebella) jab when it was introduced in 1988.

                  Health Protection experts said that they expected the number of cases to remain relatively high for the next few years, although the total number affected was much lower than in 2005, when there were 43,000 reported cases.

                  They added that last year's rise in cases was not attributable to low uptake rates of the MMR jab, following a scare over claims of a link to autism in 1998, because the numbers had not risen among younger age groups...

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

                    Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/jersey/8584843.stm

                    Page last updated at 12:27 GMT, Wednesday, 24 March 2010

                    Health bosses say Jersey mumps cases have risen

                    The health service in Jersey has confirmed a a higher number of mumps cases since Christmas in the island.

                    Dr Linda Diggle, head of healthcare programmes, said said 24 people had been diagnosed in Jersey recently, many of them in their 20s or 30s.

                    She said the virus, which usually infects children, could be affecting that age group because they are too old to have been vaccinated against it...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

                      Source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/81023...hton_and_Hove/

                      Brighton News RSS Feed
                      Mumps outbreak is sweeping across Brighton and Hove
                      10:30am Friday 16th April 2010
                      * By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter ?


                      A mumps outbreak is sweeping across Brighton and Hove.

                      There have been 30 confirmed cases of the virus in the city since January compared to 20 for the whole of 2009.

                      Top doctor Tom Scanlon today warned things are likely to get worse instead of better with more cases expected to emerge in the next few months.

                      The outbreak is being blamed on the low uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR)...

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

                        Source: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Camb...University.htm

                        Minor mumps outbreak hits University
                        Last updated: 05/05/2010 08:56
                        A minor outbreak of mumps has struck Cambridge University students.

                        Dr Paul Hartle, senior tutor at St Catharine’s College, said: “The university’s Advisory Group on Communicable Diseases has, since the middle of April, been receiving reports of a small number of mumps cases in colleges.

                        “From those affected, it is clear that a theatre tour in Europe was perhaps the major source of the infection.”

                        He said there had been no new notifications of cases for at least a week.

                        ****************
                        Source: http://www.varsity.co.uk/news/2299

                        HomeNewsCommentSportArtsFeaturesFashionReviews
                        Cambridge struck by minor outbreak of mumps

                        The disease appears to have been contained, as no new cases have been reported for over a week

                        by Anna Herber

                        Friday 7th May 2010, 16:36 GMT

                        Cambridge students have been struck by a recent outbreak of mumps.

                        Several students have contracted the illness, with some being hospitalised. However, no new cases have been reported for over a week, and Colleges are monitoring the situation closely.

                        According to Dr Paul Hartle, Senior Tutor at St. Catherine’s College, “The University’s Advisory Group on Communicable Diseases has, since the middle of April, been receiving reports of a small number of Mumps cases in Colleges.”

                        He added, “Although rarely a dangerous illness, Mumps is unpleasant and it is contagious, so that sensible precautions should be taken when cases are identified.”

                        A theatre tour in Europe has been found to be the likely source of infection, after many of the group fell ill soon after their return. The upcoming ADC production of The Alchemist has also been cancelled after the leading man became infected whilst performing in Denmark...
                        Last edited by Shiloh; May 8, 2010, 05:52 AM. Reason: Added second article

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

                          Source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/81973...hton_and_Hove/


                          Mumps outbreak sweeps across Brighton and Hove
                          1:00pm Thursday 3rd June 2010
                          * By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter ?


                          An outbreak of mumps is continuing to sweep across Brighton and Hove.

                          There have been 46 confirmed cases of the virus in the city since January compared to 27 for the whole of 2009.

                          Health bosses say cases are affecting both young adults and children and are concerned there could be more to come before the outbreak is contained.

                          One teenager from Hove ended up in intensive care at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after being struck down by the virus.

                          He is still in hospital but no longer in intensive care and is progressing well.

                          The outbreak has been blamed on the low uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine...

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

                            Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/c...l/10254431.stm


                            Mumps campaign in Cornwall after rise in case numbers
                            Page last updated at 10:33 GMT, Monday, 7 June 2010 11:33 UK


                            Mumps virus Mumps is spread by coughs, sneezes and close personal contact

                            Health bosses in Cornwall have started a mumps awareness campaign with GPs, schools and colleges after a sharp rise in cases.

                            The Health Protection Agency and NHS Cornwall said cases so far this year were close to usual annual levels.

                            The number of cases in the first 18 weeks of 2010 reached 134. There were 153 cases in all of 2009.

                            The campaign has urged people in the area to check their immunisation history to ensure they are protected.

                            Cases 'widespread'

                            Health bosses said the number of cases of the virus had raised concerns that people were missing out on the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine...

                            *********************
                            Source: http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.u...umps_outbreak/

                            Cornwall RSS Feed

                            Truro a hotspot for mumps outbreak

                            1:11pm Monday 7th June 2010
                            * By Emma Goodfellow »


                            The number of cases of mumps in the county has risen sharply, with Truro a particular hot spot.

                            Parents have been warned to be on their guard for signs on their children, with a campaign launched by the Health Protection Agency and the NHS in schools, colleges and at GP surgeries.

                            The number of notified cases in Cornwall so far this year is already approaching annual levels.

                            In the first 18 weeks of the year there have already been 134 cases notified – just 19 cases short of 153 cases in the whole of 2009. ...
                            Last edited by Shiloh; June 7, 2010, 11:54 AM. Reason: Added second article

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: UK: 2010 Mumps outbreaks

                              Brighton mumps outbreak will 'get worse'

                              4:00pm Friday 23rd July 2010
                              By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter »

                              A top doctor has warned a mumps outbreak is likely to get worse during the summer holidays.

                              snip

                              Dr Scanlon said: “It certainly seems as if the numbers of mumps cases are actually spreading around Sussex and not just Brighton and Hove and that is concerning.

                              “This is a potentially very serious disease and I would urge all those eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

                              .../

                              A top doctor has warned a mumps outbreak is likely to get worse during the summer holidays.
                              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                              -Nelson Mandela

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