Suspected outbreak of mumps at secondary school

Public Health England is investigating reports of a number of cases of suspected mumps at the Toot Hill School in Bingham in Nottinghamshire.

They're advising teenagers and young adults (aged 15-24 years) to protect themselves against mumps by having the MMR jab.

To be fully protected, children and adults need to have two doses of the MMR vaccine.

You can protect yourself against mumps by making sure you have received two doses of the combined MMR vaccine (for mumps, measles and rubella). Credit: PA

What is mumps ?

Public Health England teams describe mumps as a contagious viral infection caused by a paramyxovirus. Swelling of the parotid glands is the most common symptom of mumps. The parotid glands are a pair of glandsresponsible for producing saliva. They're located in either side of the face, just below the ears.

More general symptoms often develop a few days before the parotid glands swell. They include:

  • headache

  • joint pain

  • feeling sick

  • dry mouth

  • mild abdominal pain

  • feeling tired

  • loss of appetite

  • a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F), or above

If you have mumps, you can help prevent it spreading by:

  • regularly washing your hands with soap and water

  • using and disposing of tissues when you sneeze

  • avoiding school or work for at least 5 days after the onset of swelling

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