13/05/2005
Mumps epidemic sweeps UK
Fears are growing that the UK is in the midst of a mumps epidemic.
There has been a substantial increase in the number of new cases of mumps reported nationwide this year.
Health experts have recommended that all children and young adults, particularly those at school and in further education should be offered the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Statistics published in the British Medical Journal have revealed increasing incidence of mumps and researchers warn that the UK is in the "grips of a nationwide epidemic".
Figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that over 4,000 more mumps cases have been reported this year when compared to the previous comparable period. This equates to in excess of 8,000 notified cases of mumps.
Most people contracting mumps are in the 19-23-year-old age group and researchers have expressed concerns that this may spread to younger children who have not been immunised.
Experts say that mumps is able to spread more easily through the population due to an increase in the number of people who have not been inoculated with the vaccine.
(SP)
There has been a substantial increase in the number of new cases of mumps reported nationwide this year.
Health experts have recommended that all children and young adults, particularly those at school and in further education should be offered the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Statistics published in the British Medical Journal have revealed increasing incidence of mumps and researchers warn that the UK is in the "grips of a nationwide epidemic".
Figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that over 4,000 more mumps cases have been reported this year when compared to the previous comparable period. This equates to in excess of 8,000 notified cases of mumps.
Most people contracting mumps are in the 19-23-year-old age group and researchers have expressed concerns that this may spread to younger children who have not been immunised.
Experts say that mumps is able to spread more easily through the population due to an increase in the number of people who have not been inoculated with the vaccine.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.