Ireland: Mumps cases

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Source: http://www.herald.ie/national-news/college-students-in-mumps-outbreak-1555175.html


College students in mumps outbreak
By Fiona Dillon

Thursday November 27 2008

The number of cases of mumps reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) this year is approaching the 1,000 mark.

The provisional figures up to yesterday showed that there were 987 cases of the virus reported to the HPSC.

This represents a nearly sevenfold increase on the same period last year. In the first 48 weeks of last year, just 126 cases of mumps were reported.

Dr Suzanne Cotter, a specialist in the vaccine-preventable disease unit of the HPSC, told the Herald: "We have had an ongoing outbreak of mumps since 2004. In 2005, we had over 1,000 cases: that was the most recent big outbreak.

Protection

"Our recommendation is that college students, particularly and students in second level schools, if they are not already vaccinated with the MMR, should go to their GP and get it."

In the first week of this month alone, 57 cases of mumps were reported. Most cases of mumps are in teenagers and young adults aged 15-24, with smaller numbers of cases among younger and older people. Outbreaks have been reported in colleges and universities as well as in the general community.

Mumps 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. Experts say the best way to avoid it is to get vaccinated.

Most individuals now catching mumps either never received or got just one dose of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella: two doses are needed to provide protection against infection.

The vaccine is available from GPs or student health services in third level colleges.

The latest figures from the HPSC reveal that 1,438 cases of winter vomiting bug were reported to the HPSC in the first 45 weeks of the year, up 443 on the same period last year.

- Fiona Dillon

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.advertiser.ie/kilkenny/article/5306


Opinion
Beware of increased cases of mumps
Kilkenny Advertiser, November 27, 2008.

Dear Editor,

I am writing on behalf of the Meningitis Trust in response to the news that cases of mumps reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre have increased significantly over the last year.

We are concerned by the increase, as mumps can cause viral meningitis; a disease that can leave people with life long after-effects, including reoccurring headaches, memory and concentration problems, chronic fatigue an hearing problems. We would urge all parents to ensure their child receives the recommended MMR vaccine, available as part of the childhood immunisation schedule.

Although there has been controversy in the press surrounding the vaccine, experts have said that it's perfectly safe. Before the MMR vaccine, mumps caused many cases of childhood viral meningitis and we would not want to see these levels rise again.

We, at the Meningitis Trust, support the use of all safe and effective vaccines that may help protect against meningitis, as we know first-hand how devastating the disease can be. Every day we see people who are struggling to cope with the impact of meningitis, and anything that may prevent this suffering is supported by us.

We have a freephone 24-hour nurse-led helpline, so if anyone is concerned about this, they can call us for more information on 1800 523 196 or visit our website at www.meningitis-trust.ie.

Yours sincerely,
Carole Nealon
General Manager
The Meningitis Trust
PO Box 102
Bray

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.argus.ie/news/mumps-outbreak-hits-dkit-campus-1561734.html

Mumps outbreak hits DkIT campus

By Margaret Roddy

Wednesday December 03 2008

An outbreak of mumps at DkIT has led to the college authorities warning students to talk to their GP or student health advisor if they think they haven't been vaccinated against the disease.

There have been several confirmed cases of mumps among students at the college, in line with reports from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) which says that mumps has been on the increase since the start of 2008.

Students who have not been vaccinated against the disease are being advised to consult their GP or student health advisor as young people under 25 years are most at risk of contacting the disease.

Patients with mumps may start with a fever while the hallmark sign is swelling to the glands at the side of the jaw, making talking and swallowing painful.

Complications can be encephalitis and meningitis, deafness, swelling of the testicles in teenage boys and men, and an increased risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy.

Students who develop mumps are being warned to stay at home for ten days to prevent the spread of the disease to others.

A vaccination programme is being put in place at DkIT for those who haven't been previously vaccinated against mumps.

- Margaret Roddy

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1216/breaking43.htm

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 12:35
Eight-fold increase in mumps cases this year
LUKE CASSIDY

Teenagers and young adults have been advised to get the MMR vaccine as the number of mumps cases recorded this year is more than eight times higher than the total for last year according to figures released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

The centre said a total of 1,166 cases have been reported so far this year compared with 132 for the same period in 2007.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella but two doses are required.

Dr Suzanne Cotter of the HSPC said: ?The huge rise in cases ? nearly 60 per cent 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 minimise 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."

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.

? 2008 irishtimes.co

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/6344

Mumps cases in west increase fourteen fold
Galway Advertiser, December 18, 2008.

By Mary O?connor

A major increase in the number of mumps cases in the west has resulted in the HSE West advising teenagers and young adults to ensure that they have had two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine to avoid contracting the infection. The number of reported mumps cases in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon rocketed from 18 last year to 258 by mid December this year.

Dr Jennifer Martin, public health doctor with HSE West said since the beginning of 2008 there has been a ?large increase? in the number of mumps cases notified to the health authority in the three western counties.

?Some 258 cases were reported by mid December this year - this compares with 18 cases reported last year. Most cases are teenagers and young adults (15-24 year age group) with smaller numbers occurring among younger and older people. We are also getting reports of an increase in cases in colleges, universities, secondary schools as well as in the general community.?

She says it is important to remember that mumps is preventable. After two doses of the MMR vaccine 98 per cent of people are fully protected against the infection.

?The majority of mumps cases in the west of Ireland have occurred in young adults who have received none or only one dose of MMR. This may be because there were changes in the immunisation schedule for the MMR between its introduction in 1988 and the current schedule for MMR which began in 1999. The lower incidence of mumps in younger children is because most of these children have received two doses of MMR. Older adults are more likely to be immune to mumps as a result of infection when they were children.?

The best way to prevent mumps for those who are not immune is by getting two doses of the MMR vaccine, explains Dr Martin.

?In the current childhood immunisation schedule MMR is given to children at 12 to 15 months of age and at four to five years of age. Children who are older than five and teenagers and young adults who have not already received two doses of the vaccine (from their GP and through the school programme) should be vaccinated by contacting their GP.?

She advises people who are uncertain what vaccines they had in childhood to contact their GP or local community health centre who may have this information.

?However, anyone who is not sure about their vaccination status needs to get another dose to be sure that they are covered. The vaccine is free from GPs.?

Mumps is an acute viral illness which causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands, most commonly, the parotid glands, which are located in the cheeks, explains a spokesperson for the HSE West.

?Symptoms are usually mild but can cause discomfort and include swollen cheeks or jaw, fever, headache and a general feeling of being unwell. In the large majority of cases patients recover in approximately five days and there are no ongoing problems. In a small number of cases, mumps can have more serious consequences and can cause inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or pancreas and in some cases lead to viral meningitis or deafness.

?The mumps virus is spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes. It can also be transmitted through kissing and other direct contact with saliva. Usually close contact with a case is needed for transmission to take place. Anyone who has mumps should stay at home for seven to 10 days from the onset of swollen glands. People should drink plenty of fluids and contact their GP if they are concerned about their symptoms.?

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.kerryman.ie/news/fears-over-hike-in-mumps-cases-1579100.html

Fears over hike in mumps cases
By SIMON BROUDER sbrouder@kerryman.ie
Wednesday December 17 2008

KERRY and Cork are in the midst of a major mumps outbreak, according to HSE South figures obtained by The Kerryman.

Figures from the HSE show 120 cases of mumps in Cork and Kerry so far this year, compared with just eight in 2007.

Some 86 of these cases were reported in October and November alone.

This is the highest number of cases since a national mumps outbreak in 2005, which saw 125 people diagnosed with mumps in Cork and Kerry that year.

The majority of the new cases are in the 15 to 24 age group, most of whom were attending a third-level college. According to the HSE, there have been seven large mumps outbreaks on Irish college campuses this year.

Mumps is a contagious viral illness which causes fever, headaches and painful swelling. Complications are usually mild but it has been known to cause meningitis, deafness and, in some cases, infertility.

The HSE South is advising students to make sure they've had two doses of the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine in order to protect themselves from the highly contagious viral disease.

The worrying increase in mumps cases notified to the HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre this year has been blamed on the high number of unvaccinated young adults.

According to the HPSC, the majority of new mumps cases are occurring in either unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated people.

While most people have, at some stage, received one dose of MMR vaccine, a full vaccination requires two doses, meaning many people are unprotected should an outbreak occur.

Studies on previous outbreaks have shown that two doses of the MMR vaccine will protect between 80 per cent to 95 per cent of individuals against mumps.

There is generally a lower incidence of the disease in young children because these children are more likely to have received two doses of MMR vaccine in recent years.

Older individuals, on the other hand, are more likely to have immunity as a result of infection when they were children.

The best way to avoid contracting mumps is by getting the MMR vaccine.

In the childhood immunisation schedule, MMR is already routinely given to children after 12 months of age and at four-to-five years of age.

For individuals who do not know what vaccines they had in childhood, it's recommended that young adults and teenagers who have missed out on the school programme should receive at least one dose of the MMR vaccine to protect against the disease.

- SIMON BROUDER sbrouder@kerryman.ie

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.thecollegeview.com/2009/03/21/mumps-outbreak-hitting-colleges/

Mumps outbreak hitting colleges
By Grainne Kelly
Saturday March 21 2009

An outbreak of mumps across the country is affecting students worst. DCU confirmed 10 cases of mumps in the college and that figure is expected to rise in the coming weeks.

It is reported that there have been over 800 cases of mumps throughout colleges all over Ireland this year. That?s up from well under 100 hundred at the same time last year.

14 people have even been admitted into hospital this year with the viral illness.

DCU Health Clinic is offering free vaccinations for any student that hasn?t received the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) jab or the follow up booster jab. The vaccine is also available at all local General Practitioners for free.

Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen salivary glands. It is spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing. It can also be passed through direct contact with saliva, including kissing.

Mumps has been on the increase in Ireland since last year. Complications arising from the viral illness are rare but can be very serious. Mumps can cause meningitis, deafness, and inflammation of the pancreas, ovaries or testicles. If you feel any of the symptoms mentioned already and are concerned, don?t hesitate to contact the Health Clinic in DCU or your doctor.

It may just be a flu or cold you are experiencing but there?s no harm in making sure.

Once swollen cheeks and glands are noticed patients should be excused from work, college and socialising to prevent others from contracting the illness. Mumps, therefore, can be very disrupting for students as lectures and project work cannot be carried out.

If you are under 25 and have not received either the MMR vaccine or the booster jab then you should avoid contact with anybody that has recently developed swollen glands and mump like symptoms.

The mumps is most infectious during the incubation period which is one week before swollen symptoms begin to show and also one week after symptoms present themselves.

If you have been in contact with an infected person and have not received all of the injections then you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

There are a few things to bear in mind in order to help prevent the further spread of the illness.

1. Remember to inform the receptionist at the doctor?s clinic that you think you may have mumps.

2. Avoid communal areas and close contact with other students.

3. Arrange to stay in your accommodation or go home until the infectious period has passed (Your doctor will advise you, but this will be at least 7 days or until the swelling in the glands has subsided).

4. If you are staying on campus let people at home know what is going on and ask roomates to shop for you if you need anything.

5. Contact your personal tutor and let him/her know what is going on. You will require a Medical Cert from the doctor for your period of sickness and in the case of you being unable to attend any examination. Certificates can be obtained from your GP or the GP at the Student Health Centre.

Mumps will basically make you feel very uncomfortable and unwell for about 7-12 days. Symptoms should then subside. Your reflection might be a bit of a shock for a while. My friend looked far too much like Kanye West in that ?Through the Wire? video to keep me from giggles but rest assured, it?ll pass, and no Sophie Ellis Bexter jaw will remain.

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.universityobserver.ie/2009/03/24/nursing-students-unprotected-against-mumps-outbreak/

Nursing students unprotected against mumps outbreak
Submitted by ?ine Gilligan on Tuesday, 24 March 2009

A NUMBER of UCD nursing students, who were on a clinical work placement, have received late warnings to receive vaccinations to protect against a recent outbreak of mumps as the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems felt they were not at risk of infection. Fourth year students who were on placement since the beginning of January were not contacted as it was believed that they were not in risk of contracting the virus as they were not on attending classes on campus.

A staff member from the School of Nursing explained that only ?priority students? were contacted about the outbreak as the majority of students had been on work placements. However, Director of the Student Health Service, Dr Sandra Tighe, stated that these students may still be at risk stating that ?being on campus or not on campus is not the issue because [the virus] is in the community anyway.?

The staff member didn?t acknowledge any mistake on the part of the School of Nursing, stating that she believed the students may be protected against the mumps already as they may have received the vaccine ?in their occupational health departments in the hospital? which was part of their ?admissions process.?

She added that that the students would be more at risk if they were brought to the campus to receive the vaccination, and argued that the School of Nursing responded effectively to the outbreak stating ?we?re happy that our students were covered to the degree that they needed.?

The Student Health Service is currently providing free vaccinations for all students but, according to Dr Tighe, ?anyone going into clinical work is being prioritised.? She advises all clinical students to ?be able to prove that they?ve had two MMR vaccines or to have an additional free MMR.?

Dr Tighe feels adequate precautions were taken in preventing an outbreak in hospitals via clinical students stating that ?it?s a public health issue? and the Student Health Service had followed public health advice. She confirmed that the number of mumps cases in the university has declined in recent weeks however this was contributed to the idea that during the midterm break students could possibly be seeing their GP?s at their home if they contracted the virus.

Dr Tighe described the recent number of cases as approximately ?55-60 at the minute? adding ?we must have given out about 1,000 vaccines at this stage.? She advises all students to ensure they have received two vaccines adding ?if they can?t find out [if they received a vaccine], having a third is not going to harm them.?

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.argus.ie/news/outbreak-of-mumps-on-dkit-campus-1687126.html

Outbreak of mumps on DkIT campus
Wednesday March 25 2009

DkIT is dealing with a mumps outbreak on campus with around 80 suspected cases reported in the past few weeks.

The HSE has been involved with students at the college and an estimated 200 young people have been given MMR vaccinations as part of a special programme to combat the illness almost two weeks ago.

It is understood there have been 20 confirmed cases of mumps reported to the infectious diseases officer at the HSE, who is in contact with patients on a daily basis.

A spokesperson from the college said: 'There has been an outbreak of mumps at a number of third level institutions in Ireland in the past few weeks.

'We are doing everything we can to ensure that students are looked after in the best possible way'.

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.irishmedicalnews.ie/inde...-feature/1171-mumps-outbreaks-hit-record-high

Mumps outbreaks hit record high
Written by Nick O'Donoghue Tuesday, 31 March 2009 00:00

Features

Mumps outbreaks are affecting 15 times the number hit by the virus in the same period last year, writes Nick O?Donoghue

By the second week of March, there were 981 cases of mumps notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) since the beginning of the year, with 453 cases notified in February alone ? the greatest number reported in any one month period since the outbreak began in 2004.

Those most affected are between the ages of 15 to 24 years (66.5 per cent), with slightly more males (54.8 per cent) than females having been reported.

Since the beginning of 2009, 16 new outbreaks have been reported in colleges/universities and other educational facilities (school, cr?ches).

Vaccination status was reported for 41 per cent of all cases, of whom 25 per cent were unvaccinated, 29 per cent were incompletely vaccinated, and 46 per cent reported two doses of vaccine.

High numbers of students are falling ill with mumps in colleges across the country as a result of not being fully vaccinated against the disease, according to HPSC specialist in public health medicine Dr Suzanne Cotter.

Dr Cotter told IMN that many young people received just one dose of the MMR vaccine, which may have given them partial immunity against the virus, but did not get the second shot.

?Looking at the records, when a case is reported we ask them to give the vaccination history and many of them haven?t been able to confirm that they?ve got the two doses of the vaccine.

?There have been reports during this outbreak that people who have reported being vaccinated [once] did not seem to be as sick as the people who said they?d never been vaccinated,? she said.

While the majority of cases of mumps so far this year have been less severe than expected, Dr Cotter revealed that at least 14 young men have been admitted to hospital with the virus.

?So far this year, at least 14 cases have been hospitalised as a result of mumps infection, mainly because of orchitis. Many other young people have been severely affected by mumps since the outbreak began.

Complications are usually mild, but if untreated can cause meningitis, deafness, and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries, and pancreas,? she explained.

Previously, rates of mumps had been on the decline after spiking in 2004 and 2005 before rising last year. However, the current jump in the number of reported cases of the virus matches figures coming from the UK, Canada, and some European countries where outbreaks are also occurring.

Dr Cotter said that building up a herd immunity will be important to controlling the spread of the disease in the coming years, warning that if people who have not been fully vaccinated remain this way, the high levels of outbreaks are likely to continue.

?Based on the data we currently have, we know a lot of them aren?t fully vaccinated and we have no reason to believe that the young people coming up are any different.

?So, the likelihood is that there are substantial numbers that may not be fully protected and they may not realise themselves until they look at their records. So the call [to get vaccinated] is to the students in the colleges, but it?s also to the younger students as well,? she told IMN.

?The potential is that it could continue, but it?s unlikely to continue at such a high level if we can successfully get people immunised,? Dr Cotter added.

She welcomed the role being played by GPs vaccinating students who may be at risk of getting the mumps, but stressed that young people and their parents need to sit down and look at their medical records to make sure they have been vaccinated against the virus.

However, she said relatively few students and university staff members were taking up the HSE?s offer of free vaccinations, despite alerts across campuses encouraging them to go to student clinics or their GPs.

?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,? Dr Cotter said.

In recent years, parents have become more comfortable with the vaccination programme and as a result vaccination rates are at the highest they have ever been.

Dr Cotter said that 89 per cent of children now receive the MMR vaccine at 24 months; however, she said the rate needs to reach 95 per cent to start providing herd immunity.

?Our current immunisation rates are much better than they?ve ever been and reflect the very positive attitudes that parents now have to immunisation.

?The thing, though, with the MMR vaccine is that you really need to achieve 95 per cent uptake or higher to protect against outbreaks of measles, mumps, and rubella.

?So although there?s a very high acceptance of the vaccination programme, it?s still not as high as we need it,? she said.

Meanwhile, the latest figures from the HPSC?s notifiable disease report up until the end of February show that while cases of the mumps are up by almost 800 cases compared with the same period last year, both measles and rubella are down marginally on the opening two months of 2008.

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2009/0421/1224245063588.html

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Secondary students to be given mumps jab

EITHNE DONNELLAN, Health Correspondent

SENIOR STUDENTS in second-level schools are to be offered vaccinations in the coming days and weeks in an attempt by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to bring a nationwide mumps outbreak under control.

The new campaign will see public health specialists visiting schools to offer the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine to students in transition year, fifth year and sixth year.

More than 1,900 cases of mumps have been reported to the national Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) so far this year, which is more than were reported for the whole of last year. Outbreaks have been reported in secondary schools, colleges, universities and sports clubs.

Just 128 cases had been reported to the HPSC at this stage last year.

Mumps is a contagious acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands. Complications can include meningitis, deafness and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or pancreas.

A number of young people have had to be hospitalised as a result of mumps so far this year and many others have missed work, school and college. There are fears now that the infection could interfere with some students? exams.

An alert in relation to the seriousness of the outbreak has been posted on the Department of Education?s website which states that the vaccination campaign will prioritise larger schools in April and May as mumps outbreaks are more common where there are large numbers of students.

It adds that schools that are not contacted in April and May will be offered the MMR vaccination from September 2009 onwards.

?The HSE vaccination teams will do all they can to ensure the vaccination sessions take place as efficiently as possible,? the HSE?s assistant national director of population health, Dr Kevin Kelleher, states on the website.

To be protected against mumps people need to have had two doses of the MMR vaccine, or to have previously had the mumps.

Dr Kelleher said the national mumps outbreak had occurred because many young people aged 15-24 years had not received two doses of MMR.

?This means that second-level schools have many highly susceptible students in transition year, fifth and sixth year who are at immediate high risk of developing mumps,? he added.

In a statement yesterday evening the HSE said recent studies estimated that one dose of MMR was about 80 per cent effective against mumps and estimates for two doses of MMR ranged from 88-95 per cent effective in preventing mumps.

It added that if a young person?s MMR history was not known, an extra dose of MMR would do no harm, and could offer valuable protection against mumps.

?The HSE will be attending as many schools as possible in the weeks before the summer break, and any schools that are not targeted will be followed up in September. In addition, the HSE continues to advise those in third-level institutions to attend student health services for the MMR vaccine,? it continued.

Meanwhile, the Meningitis Research Foundation has said it is concerned to note mumps cases continuing to rise as it says any resurgence in mumps could lead to an increase in cases of viral meningitis.

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8013862.stm

Mumps jab for Donegal students
There have been 54 cases of mumps in Donegal so far this year

Students at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology have been offered the MMR vaccine to tackle an outbreak of mumps in County Donegal.

There have been 54 cases in the county so far this year, compared to 33 in 2008.

Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Anthony Breslin said the 1980s scare over the MMR vaccine was to blame.

"People who missed the vaccine are now getting together in third level institutions," he said.

"This is the age group that missed out on getting the MMR vaccine when it was introduced back in 1988.

"What's happening is that they're getting together in universities and colleges and they're meeting people who have the infection and they're not protected.

"That's what's causing the outbreak we're seeing at the present," he said.

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/record-number-of-mumps-cases-reported-this-year-412462.html

Record number of mumps cases reported this year
27/05/2009 - 08:03:09

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre says a record numbers of mumps cases have been reported in Ireland so far this year.

The agency says more than 2,000 cases have been detected, most of them among people aged between 15 and 24.

More than 1,000 cases were detected last year and just 132 in 2007.

A vaccination programme is currently taking place in secondary schools in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.imn.ie/index.php/current-issue/news/1779-mumps-outbreak-shameful


Mumps outbreak ?shameful?
Written by Nick O'Donoghue Friday, 19 June 2009 00:00


News

The Director of the Health Pro*tection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has described the current outbreak of mumps as a ?shameful thing to happen? given the presence of the MMR vaccine.

Speaking at the second Annual Scientific Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland, Dr Darina O?Flanagan stressed the need to boost uptake of vaccines to protect against preventable illnesses such as the mumps and measles.

She added that it is essential that the current MMR catch-up campaign in secondary schools is successful to increase herd immunity.

?As you know, we?re now having a huge outbreak of the mumps... it?s a shameful thing to happen when we have an effective vaccine that we?re not managing to get out to the population,? she said.

Dr O?Flanagan warned that without an increase in the uptake of the MMR vaccine, a measles outbreak is also a possibility.

?If we don?t manage to catch those kids [who haven?t been vaccinated] who are now in primary and secondary school and vaccinate those, we can be sure that there?ll be an outbreak of measles,? she told the meeting.

The latest figures from the HPSC on notifiable diseases [for the week ending May 30] show an increase of 11 cases of the measles for the year-to-date compared with 2008.

While there have been more than 3,000 cases of the mumps notified so far this year, 2,755 more than the same period last year, Dr O?Flanagan said there had been a decline in the numbers of confirmed cases in recent months.

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mmr-concern-as-mumps-surges-1820430.html

MMR concern as mumps surges
By Louise Hogan

Tuesday July 14 2009

THE uptake of the MMR vaccine in some areas remains "dangerously low" in spite of a major surge in mumps cases, health chiefs warned last night.

Parents have been urged to ensure their children are protected with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine following a spike in diagnoses.

The surge in mumps -- which has hit universities, schools and sports clubs this year -- was the highest since recording began with the introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1988.

Last month, three people were hospitalised with mumps -- around 1pc of the 274 cases recorded by the health service.

The most recent figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) showed the trend slowing, with 61 cases in one week in late June. Dr Suzanne Cotter, a specialist in public health medicine with the HPSC, said the number of new cases recorded was "significantly less" than in previous weeks.

But the half-year total for 2009 was still 3,250 cases -- a nine-fold increase on the same period last year.

Dr Cotter attributed the levelling off in the outbreak to the free vaccine programme pursued through schools, and summer holidays getting under way.

Children

She urged parents to ensure their children received the MMR jab, despite a fall-off in the high numbers of mumps cases being reported.

Around 90pc of children aged two have had one dose of the vaccine, around 5pc lower than the target rate.

However, in some communities, uptake of the MMR among young children was "dangerously low", Dr Cotter warned.

In Dublin south city, which includes Ringsend, Irishtown, Rialto, Dolphin's Barn and Terenure, in the first three months of this year, the uptake of the initial MMR dose among two-year-olds stood at a lowly 76pc, she said.

Concerns have been raised in the past about a possible link between the vaccine and autism but Dr Cotter pointed out that these had been "dispelled".

"Measles is the killer. Three children died as a result of the measles outbreak back in 2000," she said.

Most of this year's Leaving Cert pupils have been vaccinated, meaning there will be a protected group entering college which should curb the outbreak.

- Louise Hogan

 

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Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/...eady-to-play-after-mumps-calloff-1863910.html

Mairtins ready to play after mumps call-off
EUROPEAN MORTGAGES LOUTH SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

By Francis CARROLL

Wednesday August 19 2009

'SO far, so good. We are geared up for Friday night,' asserted Naomh Mairtin chairman Michael Fanning ahead of Friday night's crucial championship game against Cooley Kickhams ? which had to be postponed last weekend because of an outbreak of mumps in the Monasterboice camp.

'We had four of the first team down with mumps. We sought medical advice, and had to isolate those players for a week, so they weren't able to train,' the chairman explained.

'The medical officer suggested that the match (originally fixed for St Brigid's Park, Dowdallshill last Sunday night) be deferred.'

Giving some background to the affair, Mr Fanning said three of the players contracted the infectious illness, which causes swelling to the glands at the side of the neck, last Monday week. Another member of the team had picked up the mumps the previous week.

'They say after five to seven days sufferers are over the worst of it, and it does seem to have cleared. They players are fit to go back training.

'Mumps are contagious, and we had to distribute literature about it around the club.'

However, Naomh Mairtin are now looking forward to the tie, which has a 7pm throw-in at St Brigid's Park.

Unlike Group B, from where St Patrick's have already qualified for the semi-finals and Dundalk Gaels look good for a quarter-final berth, Group A is much more congested.

Newtown Blues beat Mattock Rangers in the only match to go ahead at the weekend, to take over at the top of the table. The St Bride's v Glyde Rangers fixture was called off following the Knockbridge tragedy which claimed two lives.

There is no knowing how it will turn out, but one thing is for sure, Mairtins are expecting a tough battle against Kickhams.

'Cooley are always hard to beat. We have no issue with the venue, and never had. If we are good enough we will beat them, if we're not, we won't,' said Fanning.

The St Bride's v Glyde Rangers tie has been re-fixed for Louth Village at 7pm on Friday.

- Francis CARROLL

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.independent.ie/sport/hur...out-wont-deny-him-crowning-glory-1878082.html

Kilkenny ace Fennelly hopes mumps bout won't deny him crowning glory

By Donnchadh Boyle

Friday September 04 2009

CURSED and blessed in equal measure, Michael Fennelly will hardly know where to look on Sunday.

He could be given the honour of lifting the Liam McCarthy cup, thus confirming this Kilkenny team's place in the history books. But it's also plausible that he won't play any of the 70 minutes on Sunday, such is the talent that exists in Brian Cody's side. In a different era in the illustrious history of Kilkenny hurling, he might well have been a regular fixture in the side.

With club champions picking the captain for the following year in Kilkenny, Fennelly was the natural choice after the honour had already been bestowed on his club-mates James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick and Henry Shefflin.

He seemed to be the right choice for another reason -- captaining Kilkenny is in his blood. His uncles, Ger and Liam, have led Kilkenny to All-Ireland success and he looked to have nailed down a starting spot earlier this year before a bout of the mumps struck him down.

In a cruel twist of fate, he was diagnosed with the illness on the morning the Cats were due to play Tipperary in the league final.

DISAPPOINTED

"I was very disappointed I missed that game. We were playing a team like Tipperary on league final day and being captain and all that," he said ruefully.

"I looked after myself well, I ate well. It is fierce important to do that when you have the mumps, supposedly. I had the best of doctors."

But the residual effects can stay with the diagnosed for months and although Fennelly managed to force his way back into the side for the Leinster semi-final clash with Galway, he was replaced by Derek Lyng in that game.

To add to his woes, 'Cha' has since returned to his best form (also after contracting mumps) leaving Fennelly, Lyng and Michael Rice to fight it out for the remaining centre-field spot.

"With this Kilkenny team, it is so competitive. There is nothing straight forward about it. If you are not performing well, you have a lad chomping on your heels straight away. That probably has been the key to our success: the competitiveness within Kilkenny."

That success could be brought a step further on Sunday, though he has only allowed himself to think briefly about the possibility of lifting the cup on Croke Park turf.

"It would be absolutely supreme to lift the Liam McCarthy and the fact that relations have lifted it before would really finish things off on a nice note," he said.

"You get the honour and privilege to captain Kilkenny and it comes around once in every lifetime really."

- Donnchadh Boyle

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Ireland: Mumps cases

Source: http://www.imn.ie/index.php/current-issue/news/2571-mumps-continuing-to-increase

Mumps continuing to increase

Written by Dawn O'Shea Monday, 02 November 2009 15:35


Mumps cases have increased by more than 400 per cent over the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

The figures show the rise of cases highlighted by health officials earlier in the year continues, with 3,592 cases of mumps reported as of October 10 2009, compared with 626 cases for the same period in 2008.

So far in 2009, there were 2,966 more cases of mumps than in 2008.
Earlier this year, the Director of the HPSC Dr Darina O?Flanagan described the current outbreak of mumps as a ?shameful thing to happen? given the presence of the MMR vaccine.

Meanwhile, the latest HPSC figures show there are 212 more cases of noroviral infection than the same period last year, rising from 1,342 in 2008 to 1,563 so far in 2009. The figures also show a fall in the number of hepatitis C cases up until the beginning of October, falling from 1,174 in October 2008 to 1,010 in 2009.