MIKE HEDGES AM WARNS PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THE SYMPTOMS OF MUMPS AFTER 7 FOLD INCREASE IN CASES IN 2019

MIKE HEDGES AM WARNS PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THE SYMPTOMS OF MUMPS AFTER 7 FOLD INCREASE IN CASES IN 2019



Speaking from his Morrison office, Local Senedd Member Mike Hedges said… ‘I am aware what an unpleasant illness Mumps is and have spoken to health professionals who have flagged up that there was a 7 fold increase in the number of reported cases in Wales last year. It is an illness which particularly affects children and young people and I would urge people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms so they know what to look out for. I would also urge people to check that their immunisations are up to date as the MMR vaccine provides a high level of protection for this unpleasant condition’

There were five times more suspected cases of mumps diagnosed in Wales in 2019 than the year before, figures have shown.

Public Health Wales identified 2,695 potential cases of the viral infection last year - up from 519 in 2018.

The areas with the most suspected cases were Cardiff and Swansea, which have large numbers of students.

The health body said no outbreak had been declared but it was monitoring cases.

It urged students and the public to check they have had two doses of the MMR jab - measles, mumps and rubella - as a precaution.

Mumps is contagious and characterised by painful swelling of the glands at the side of the face.

Some universities are already warning students - who are at risk as they can be in close proximity for large periods of time - to get their jabs after a number of suspected cases on campuses last year.