Mumps cases high but past peak: Experts

Amumps outbreak in the Auckland region is continuing to drive up the number of reported cases nationwide — with reports of the illness registered over the first four months of this year more than triple that of the same period last year.

However, health officials suspect an outbreak declared back in 2016 has peaked and say the number of cases recorded is declining monthly.

Figures from New Zealand’s Institute of Environmental Science and Research document 313 cases of confirmed, probable and suspected mumps over the first four months of this year.

This is in contrast to a total of 88 cases over the same period last year.

Additionally, more than twice as many New Zealanders had been struck with measles over the first four months of this year than the same time last year — there were 25 reported cases in comparison to 2017’s 10 cases.

Public health physician Jill Sherwood said the mumps outbreak in Auckland had peaked in October last year.

“There were 276 cases in that one month — that was the peak.

“So far this year, while it’s well above what we normally would have in a non-outbreak period . . . it’s been going down every month since early this year.” Most cases had occurred in West Auckland, and more than half were students aged between 10 and 19.

Sherwood said the high occurrence of cases in Auckland could largely be attributed to mumps circulating in Pacific communities.

“Several of the Pacific territories use a single antigen measles vaccine and they don’t vaccinate against mumps and rubella in a combined vaccine.”

The Ministry of Health had measures in place to overcome this.

Director of public health Dr Caroline McElnay said mumps vaccines were free for anyone who had not had the two jabs when they were younger.

In New Zealand, children are vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella at 15 months and 4 years.

The high figures followed news of a whooping cough outbreak in New Zealand.

Earlier this week Auckland school ACG Parnell confirmed one of its students has been diagnosed with whooping cough.

In the four months from January 1 to May 4 there were 1412 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of whooping cough reported, Institute of Environmental Science and Research figures showed.

That was more than double the number of cases reported in the same period last year.