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.
