More than 1,000 new cases of mumps were recorded in the first six weeks of the year, in the latest surge in a year-long outbreak of the disease. The 1,020 cases notified to the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre is almost twice the number of mumps cases that occurred in the whole of 2018. There were 2,762 cases of mumps in the State last year, compared to 573 in 2018. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Mumps is a highly infectious and dangerous illness that spreads very easily, particularly in homes, crèches, playgroups, camps, schools and universities.

Source: The Irish Times February 12, 2020 00:56 UTC