Students face mumps epidemic
As many as 3,000 students could get mumps this year if mass vaccination does not take place, it was reported today. According to the Telegraph, cases of mumps have been on the rise since the mid-1990s. Students are thought to be particularly at risk because most will have missed out on MMR vaccinations, introduced in late 1988, and will not have built up immunity to the virus because of its low incidence in the rest of the population.
Since students are often packed in close together, whether in halls of residence or shared houses, a major epidemic is a possibility. Many universities have already had vaccination programmes, including Leeds, Sheffield and York. Further vaccination sessions will take place should the need arise.
However, cases of mumps have already been confirmed this academic year. Birmingham has had 27 cases since September – twice as many as in the first quarter of this year – and Kent has three confirmed and one suspected cases.
Manchester has plans in the event of a major outbreak, which could mean isolating students or closing an entire hall of residence. Some universities will ask students to go home to avoid spreading the illness further.
They are right to take the problem seriously: although a third of infected people display no symptoms, mumps can also result in infertility in both men and women. 15% of victims develop ear problems and meningitis, but usually make a full recovery.
Send this article to a friend