An outbreak of mumps has been recorded right across Northern Ireland, the chief medical officer warned today.
Dr Henrietta Campbell said there had been a steady increase since last month, with over 300 cases notified in the four health board areas.
Most cases have been among teenagers who had not been properly inoculated with the MMR vaccine. The majority of those affected are in the 18-19 age group, and are believed to have only had one dose of mumps-containing vaccine such as MMR, said Dr Campbell.
She added: "Mumps can be a very painful illness in older teenagers and people above that age group. It may be associated with complications such as meningitis, pancreatitis and orchitis [painful, swollen testicles]."
The Joint Council on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises Health Ministers in the UK, had long recommended two doses of MMR were required to fully protect against measles, mumps and rubella, she said.
"It is significant, therefore, that the data so far available shows that the majority of those affected have had only one dose of mumps-containing vaccine, ie MMR, while a small proportion have never had any such vaccines."
PA