Mumps Alert: England’s Mumps Cases Reached 10-Year High, Most Didn’t Have MMR Jab

A staggering report revealed that mumps cases had reached a 10-year-high in England. According to health experts, the majority of the cases was because they were not able to have a flu jab. This jab is called the (mumps, measles, and rubella).

The Suspected Cause

According to Express’ report, the lack of MMR jabs of many of the patients must still be an after-effect of the anti-vaccination scandal in the year 1998, when Dr. Andrew Wakefield linked the MMR jab to autism. The young adults who have been infected with the disease were born after the said scandal erupted.

Although the study of Dr. Wakefield was discredited, later on, the damage was already done. He was struck off as a professional, but there was a huge drop in the uptake of the vaccine. Accordingly, it dropped to about 80% in the late 1990s, and in 2003, it hit a record low at 79%.

Staggering Numbers

According to reports, in 2018, there were 1,066 cases. However, in 2019, there were 5,042 cases, a huge increase from the previous year. Public Health England (PHE) stated that the figures were regarded as the highest since 2009. Scotland and Wales also saw an increase in mumps cases.

A spokesperson for PHE, Dr. Vanessa Saliba, said that it is important for everyone to have their full dose of MMR vaccine. They are also encouraging students and young people to have their MMR jabs or be up to date the soonest.

Treatment For Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that would normally go away after a week or two once the body has fought off the virus. As per NHS, there are no medications for treating the virus. What you can do is to get plenty of rest and to take over the counter painkillers.

You must also drink plenty of fluids. Fruit juices may irritate the parotid glands, so water is the best fluid when you’re suffering from mumps. Make sure that you apply a warm or cool compress to the swollen glands. This will help reduce the pain.

So to ensure that you’re protected, try to have that MMR vaccine. This may be the most effective way for you not to suffer from mumps at a later point in life.