Concern over rising cases of mumps in Merseyside; Experts call on young to get MMR jab.

Byline: BY LIZA WILLIAMS Daily Post Staff

CASES of mumps are rising in Merseyside and Cheshire, according to new figures.

In 2008, there were 124 confirmed cases in the region, compared to 102 the previous year.

The trend is continuing into 2009, with 156 reports of suspected mumps cases in the area compared to 132 reports for the same period in 2008.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is concerned that many older children and teenagers in Cheshire and Merseyside missed out on the MMR vaccine as toddlers and remain vulnerable to infection.

Mumps is a serious illness that can lead to complications including viral meningitis, long term hearing problems and painful swelling of the testicles in males and the ovaries in females.

It can leave men infertile as a result.

There is no treatment for the illness, other than the alleviation of pain and fever.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, the HPA's immunisation lead for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: "Every child should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at 13 - 15 months and the second before starting school.

"Parents are increasingly recognising the importance of having their children vaccinated at the recommended age.

"Our message to these older unprotected children is that it is not too late.

"Anyone up to the age of 18 is entitled to vaccination on the NHS.

"Parents of children who are not protected can arrange vaccination through their family doctor."

The figures for 2008 and 2007 are for laboratory confirmed cases. The figures given for 2009 to date and the comparable period of last year are GP notifications of cases, which may or may not be confirmed by laboratory testing in the final analysis.

Mumps symptoms are painful inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands under one or both sides of the jaw, fever and headache.

The increase in cases follows measles outbreaks across the North West region.

In November last year, the HPA reported eight cases within Liverpool, three of which were confirmed by laboratory testing.

The Daily Post revealed last April how health chiefs were concerned uptake of the MMR jab was too low in the city to create herd immunity.

And there were also outbreaks last year in Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Dr Roberto Vivancos, consultant in health protection with the HPA's Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Unit, added: "MMR is safe, proven and effective.

"If sufficient children are vaccinated to create herd immunity in the community, the spin-off benefit will be that adults will also be protected."

The MMR jab caused controversy in 1998 when an article linking it to autism appeared in The Lancet medical journal.

An international public health scare ensued, resulting in thousands of parents preventing children from having the vaccine, and many paying to have single jabs for each infection.

Research in February concluded there was no link.