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Student Living
4 Feb 2005 16:19 ~ Edward Jacobs

Students at risk from mumps epidemic

The Health Protection Agency has published figures for the number of suspected cases of mumps in the first four weeks of this year, and it makes worrying reading.

The figures show that in January this year there was a tenfold increase in the number of cases of the illness in England and Wales. There were 4,891 suspected cases in the space of a month, up from 467 in January last year. Roughly two thirds of those affected are aged between 13 and 24.

Symptoms

  • Pain when chewing and swallowing

  • Sore throat

  • Fever

  • Feeling tired

  • Loss of appetite

  • Mild tummy pain

  • Dry mouth

  • Headache

    Source: NHS Direct
    • The illness is spread through being in close proximity to someone with the condition, and kissing, coughing or sneezing.

    University students are believed to be particularly at risk because there are often large numbers of them close together, whether in lectures, bars or halls of residence.

    Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Dr Nick Phinn, a consultant in communicable diseases at the Health Protection Agency said, "What we are seeing is a group of people between 13 and 24 who have not been exposed to mumps as children because MMR has been so effective, and who have not been vaccinated with MMR because it was only introduced in 1988."

    Current advice from the Department of Health is that people should get themselves vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.

    If you have any concerns you can contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or in Scotland phone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

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