We must eliminate diseases

THE outbreak of mumps in Leinster House is a timely reminder there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases in recent months.

The HSE has sent letters to TDS and senators to alert them of the danger but it might be time for every Irish home to get a similar warning.

There are growing fears the country is on the brink of a mumps epidemic with 400 cases so far this year.

The statistics show there have been six times as many cases as in the same period last year and the main reason for this is a drop in the number of children being vaccinated.

As a result, diseases which had been largely eliminated are now spreading through the population and there is a real risk of an epidemic breaking out.

Of all reported cases in recent months, more than 60% were in the 15 to 24 age bracket.

This rise in cases of mumps in teens is being linked to the period when false research linking the MMR vaccine to autism was published.

It is highly irresponsible for parents not to have their children vaccinated because of bogus reports on social media.

Not alone is it putting their own offspring at risk of contracting a serious disease, it is also increasing the likelihood of an epidemic.

It might be time for the State to enforce mandatory vaccinations programmes in schools to save children from serious diseases.