By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
Cases of mumps in England have increased dramatically since the last quarter of 2018, according to the latest data from Public Health England (PHE).
Provisional data from PHE shows 756 laboratory confirmed mumps cases in the first quarter of 2019, this compares with 162 confirmed cases reported during the fourth quarter of 2018.
In fact, the 756 cases reported this past quarter is the highest number since the second quarter of 2014 when 784 cases were confirmed.
Following the Measles-Rubella (MR) school campaign in November 1994 the Public Health England predecessor (PHLS) has offered oral fluid testing to confirm the diagnosis on all notified cases of measles, mumps and rubella. This is part of the enhanced surveillance programme for these vaccine-preventable diseases.
Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by a virus. It typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Then most people will have swelling of their salivary glands. This is what causes the puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.
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