Cases of suspected mumps rocketed in Lancashire last year.
In 2019, 314 suspected cases were reported in the area to Public Health England (PHE).
That’s almost triple the 120 suspected cases in 2018.
It is also the highest number since comparable records began in 2011. The figures include 64 suspected cases in West Lancashire, 32 in Lancaster, 31 in Preston, and 30 in Blackpool.
The area also saw 30 suspected cases of measles last year, the same number as in 2018. Doctors are required to report any suspected cases of certain infectious diseases to their local authority or local Health Protection Team, although not all cases will be confirmed.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist for Immunisation, at Public Health England said: “We continue to see measles cases and small outbreaks reported across the country. Anyone who has not received two doses of MMR vaccine is at risk.
“Measles is very easy to catch and can kill. Fortunately, we have a very safe and effective vaccine that can stop measles from spreading and save lives.
“If you’re unsure if you are up to date with your two doses of MMR vaccine contact your GP practice. It’s never too late to protect yourself and others.”
Mumps is transmitted by direct contact with saliva or droplets from the saliva of an infected person. Most cases of mumps are mild - around a third of people infected with the virus develop no symptoms - but when complications occur they can be serious. It is the commonest cause of viral meningitis.
Measles can be unpleasant, but will usually pass in about seven to 10 days. But it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications in some people, such as infections of the lungs (pneumonia) and brain (encephalitis).
Anyone who has not received two doses of MMR vaccine is at risk, with PHE encouraging anyone who is not sure if they are fully vaccinated to check with their GP and get up to date if necessary.
There were 17,253 suspected cases of mumps across England and Wales in 2019, according to figures compiled by Public Health England (PHE).
This was up from 6,749 in 2018, and is the highest number of suspected mumps cases in this period since at least 2011. Across England, PHE has also recorded a marked increase in confirmed mumps cases.
In the first nine months of the year, 3,356 cases of mumps were laboratory-confirmed, compared to 1,042 cases in the whole of 2018. Confirmed cases are predominantly in older teenagers and young adults, with 63% among those aged between 15 and 25 years.
There were 2,419 suspected cases of measles across England and Wales in 2019, according to figures compiled by Public Health England (PHE).
This was down slightly from 2,608 in 2018, but compares to 1,693 cases reported in 2017.
In the first nine months of 2019, there were 667 confirmed cases of measles across the whole of England.
This was down from 825 cases in the same period in 2018, but compares to just 17 cases in 2017, 67 in 2016, 20 in 2015, and 70 cases in 2014.
