Disease
Mumps, or parotitis epidemica, is a viral infection that primarily affects the salivary glands. Although mumps is mostly a mild childhood disease, the virus may also affect adults, in whom complications such as meningitis and orchitis are relatively common. Encephalitis and permanent neurological sequelae are rare complications of mumps.
Occurrence
In most parts of the world, annual mumps incidence is in the range of 100–1000 per 100 000 population, with epidemic peaks every 2–5 years. Peak incidence is found among children aged 5–9 years. Natural infection with mumps virus is thought to confer lifelong protection.
Risk for travellers
Travellers who are not fully immunized against mumps are at risk when visiting endemic countries.
Vaccine
The mumps vaccine is usually given in combination with measles and rubella vaccine (MMR). Different attenuated strains of the mumps virus are used for the production of live mumps vaccines, all of which are considered safe and effi cacious, except for the Rubini strain. In order to avoid possible interference with persistent maternal antibodies, the fi rst of the two recommended doses of the vaccine is usually given at 12–18 months of age, the second after a minimum interval of one month. A single dose of mumps vaccine, either as single antigen or in combination, has a protective effi cacy of 90–96%.The second dose given in some countries at age 4–6 years provides protection to most individuals who do not respond to the fi rst.