Mumps is a caused by a paramyxovirus, which is antigenically related to the parainfluenza viruses. Infection with the virus causes fever, headache and inflammation of the parotid glands. It is mainly a childhood disease, with a peak incidence in the group aged 5-9 years. Mumps was common prior to the introduction of vaccination, and was a relatively common cause of viral meningitis. Nerve deafness is one of the most serious, but rare, complications (1 in 500 hospitalised cases) of the disease. About 30 per cent of people with mumps will have only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Spread of infection

Spread of infection is by direct contact with droplets from the sneeze or cough, or by direct contact with saliva, from an infected person. The incubation period for mumps ranges from 12-25 days, but is usually 16-18 days. The infectious period is up to six days before overt parotitis (swelling of the glands) and up to nine days after onset of swelling.

Prevention

A vaccine is available for mumps. There is a measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) available in Australia and is given as part of the standard vaccination schedule at 12 months and 10-16 years. Children should be excluded from child care centres for nine days after onset of swelling. (exclusion table)

Surveillance and reporting

Reported cases are collected through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, for national reporting through the Communicable Diseases Intelligence (CDI).