Number of suspected cases of mumps in the Gloucestershire rocket with more than double in the first half of this year compared to the last

The number of suspected cases of mumps is on the rise in Gloucestershire – 59 cases were reported this year.

That's more than double the same period in 2018, when there were only 25 suspects there.

This is the highest number since the start of comparable registrations in 2011.

Physicians are required to report suspected cases of certain infectious diseases to their local authorities or health protection team, even if not all cases will be confirmed.

The 59 cases reported in Gloucestershire were reported between January 1 and July 7.

In the south-west of the country, 242 confirmed cases of mumps were reported between January and May.

There were only 54 in 2018.

What is mumps?

Mumps is transmitted by direct contact with saliva or droplets from the saliva of an infected person.

In mumps, one or both of the parotid salivary glands just below and in front of the ears swell and become painful. There may be swelling around the ovaries (in girls) or testicles (in boys after puberty).

Most cases of mumps are mild – about one-third of those infected with the virus have no symptoms – but when complications occur, they can be serious. This is the most common cause of viral meningitis.

What is the national photo?

According to figures collected by Public Health England (PHE), 8,773 suspected mumps cases have been observed in England and Wales since the beginning of this year.

It was up 3,716 for the same period in 2018 and is the largest number of suspected mumps cases in this period since at least 2011.

In England, PHE also recorded a clear increase in the number of confirmed cases of mumps.

During the first five months of the year, 2,322 cases of mumps were confirmed in the laboratory, compared to 1,042 cases in 2018.

Confirmed cases mainly involve older adolescents and young adults, with 70% (1,627 cases) aged 15 to 25 years.

What is the cause of the tip in cases?

Jamie Lopez-Bernal, Epidemiology Consultant for Immunization at Public Health England, said, "The increase in mumps this year is mainly due to epidemics among university students.

"It is normal to see mumps outbreaks in this group, but it seems that there are more cases this year.

"It may be because the children who missed the MMR because of their concerns in the late 1990s and who are now in college

"We are keeping a close eye on parents and their children to see if they have received two doses of MMR if they are unsure. It's never too late to have the jab. "