Mumps epidemic at Nottingham Universities



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Teenager receiving the MMR vaccine

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Scientific photo library

Legend

People who have missed an earlier MMR vaccination may have a "catch-up" jab

More than 220 suspected cases of mumps have been reported in two universities, Public Health England (PHE) said.

Students are encouraged to ensure that they are vaccinated due to an outbreak at Nottingham Trent University and at the University of Nottingham.

In total, 40 cases have been confirmed so far.

PHE, who confirmed the cases, said he was working with the universities to persuade unprotected students to get the MMR jab.

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Dr. Vanessa MacGregor said: "We have recently seen an increase in numbers and teens and young adults who have not received two doses of MMR vaccine are particularly vulnerable.

"Early school leavers and other young adults who have not received MMR or who have received only one dose should make sure that they accept the offer." of vaccination by the RRO. "

According to PHE, the latest figures show that mumps cases in England decreased in 2018, with 1,024 confirmed cases, compared to 1,796 in 2017.

A spokesman for the University of Nottingham Trent said he was offering support to those affected.

"If students have symptoms of the disease, we encourage them to consult their general practitioner as they would normally and to inform a competent staff member of his or her career if it has an impact on their studies," he said. .

The University of Nottingham has been approached for comments.


Mumps

Copyright of the image
Scientific photo library

Legend

Two doses of MMR vaccine are given to children before they enter school in the UK

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that causes swelling of the parotid glands.

General symptoms may include headache, joint pain, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and high temperature.

It is spread in the same way as colds and flu – through infected saliva droplets that can be inhaled or extracted from surfaces and transferred to the mouth or nose.

A person is the most contagious a few days before the onset of symptoms and a few days later.

Source: Public Health England


In 1998, a study by Andrew Wakefield linked the MMR vaccine to autism. Although he was removed from the British medical register and his research was completely discredited, it had an impact on immunization coverage. % in the late 1990s and 79% in 2003.

Since then, many public health campaigns have increased, but health officials have warned that social media feeds fear of vaccines based on misinformation.

According to figures from the World Health Organization, measles cases have tripled in Europe between 2017 and 2018, and concerns have also been expressed about a global increase in recent years.

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