Mumps in Ireland

28 Feb 2019

The Irish Health Service Executive reports that there have  been 381 cases of mumps in Ireland in the first 8 weeks of 2018. Cases have occurred across the country and most are teenagers and young adults.

Advice to travellers

Outbreaks of mumps occur in many European countries and the disease is still common in much of Asia, Africa, the Indian sub-continent and the Americas. The risk is greater when living or working with local people or travelling for large gatherings (e.g. sporting and music events).

The two vaccines that protect against mumps are combined with measles and rubella (MMR) which is usually given to children as part of the national childhood schedule, in infancy and prior to starting school. Two doses of vaccine give long-lasting protection against all three diseases.

Individuals should ensure that they have received two doses of MMR prior to travel to areas where the risk of mumps is high. Those who were born between 1980 and 1990 may not have received two doses of MMR vaccine. Individuals born between this time should check with their GP to ensure that they have received vaccination. Prior infection with mumps will provide lifelong immunity against that particular disease.

For further information see Mumps.