Warning on NSW mumps outbreak

Dr Vicky Sheppeard, the Director of Communicable Diseases for NSW Health, said there have been 15 reported cases of the disease in May, clustered in several areas. It’s highly likely more cases have not been reported.

She said that the disease can be very serious for affected adults.

“Complications can include swelling of the testicles in males, and rarely inflammation of the brain, the lining of the brain and spinal cord, pancreatitis and hearing loss,” she said.

A mumps infection during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, and the ovaries and testicles can also be affected.

While most children are vaccinated against the disease, Dr Sheppeard said that many adults would not have any resistance to it, as the required two doses weren’t routinely offered until the 1990s.

"Many people in their 20s, 30s and early 40s will not be immune, so it is particularly important they check their status with their doctor and get vaccinated if they are not sure," she said.

“To prevent the spread of mumps, children and adults should have two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which also provides good protection against measles and rubella.”

Symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, and tiredness and headaches, followed by swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands, especially near the jaw. Up to one-third of sufferers, however, have no symptoms.

Mumps can be caught by breathing in the virus after a sufferer coughs or sneezes, or by direct saliva contact. It can then take two to three weeks to develop, and affected people are infectious a week before and up to nine days after the glands have swollen.

There is no specific treatment for mumps.

Visit our baby and childhood vaccination schedule for more details on immunisation.