HSE warning over mumps outbreak 132 cases in week across the country

THE HSE has issued a warning after 132 cases of the highly contagious mumps viral infection were reported last week alone.

Thousands of young people were warned yesterday to get vaccinated.

And it is understood six employees in one construction firm office in Dublin contracted mumps in the past seven days.

The HSE’S assistant national director of public health Dr Kevin Kelleher believes the outbreak has happened because many who are aged 15 to 30 do not have full protection against the virus.

He added: “Yes [it is an outbreak]. This has been going on now for the best part of 18 months.

“It was there and we were seeing small enough outbreaks around the country in the latter part of 2018, but then towards the end of last year we started seeing

really quite widespread cases of mumps all over the country. A bit centred in Dublin but really all over the country.

“It’s a consequence of the fact a large proportion of our 15 to 30-year-olds have not got full protection against mumps from the MMR vaccine. You need to have

TRADITIONALLY known as the “kissing disease” because it spreads fast between groups of young people, mumps affects two doses to protect yourself properly.” Back in the late 1990s, disgraced British doctor Andrew Wakefield suggested there was a link between the MMR vaccination and autism – making many reluctant here to get it done.

Dr Kelleher, who agreed this was a factor, told RTE’S Morning Ireland programme: “If you look at the outtake back in 2002/03 it dipped down to 70% and in some parts of the country even down to 50% so there’s a very large group of people who have not necessarily got the full coverage against it.

“We’re asking that people check on their status and if they’re not sure at all just have a vaccine before you go back to college. You really do need to make sure before you go back to college you have got the vaccine done.”

the salivary glands and causes puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw.

It can lead to serious infections such as glandular fever and tonsillitis, and in extreme cases can turn to meningitis if it moves to the outer layer of the brain.