THE NUMBER of mumps cases reported so far this year is more than five times higher than the number recorded at the same time last year, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
And the increase is likely to continue with the return of students to schools and colleges. Some 60 per cent of this year's cases are in the 10 to 24-year-old age group.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre's report shows that 22 cases of mumps were reported in the week ending August 23rd. This brought to 481 the number of cases this year. At the same time last year there were just 83 cases.
Of the 22 cases, 10 were reported in the Dublin area, seven in the west, three in the southeast and two in the northwest.
Even before these latest figures were issued, the centre had expressed concern at the increase in the number of cases.
It warned all students to ensure that they had two doses of the MMR vaccine before they returned to school and college. The vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella but two doses are needed.
Dr Joan O'Donnell, the centre's public health medicine specialist, said students were "particularly vulnerable" because the contagious disease was commonly spread in third-level colleges and secondary schools. There have been at least seven outbreaks in third-level colleges this year.
Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes painful swollen glands, fever and headache. Complications are usually mild, but in some cases it can cause meningitis, deafness and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or pancreas.
Dr O'Donnell advised students who had not had mumps or had not been vaccinated to talk to their GP or student health services.
"Anyone who is not sure about their vaccination status needs to get another dose to be on the safe side."
Anyone who contracts mumps has been advised to stay away from school, college or work for nine days after the onset of swollen glands.
