Mumps used to be a common childhood disease, but it has become rare over the years. In the 1950s, around 34,000 Canadians would contract mumps annually. However, by the late 1990s, the number of cases had dropped by 99% to fewer than 400.
Between 2000 and 2004, there was an average of 87 cases each year.
Thanks to widespread vaccination programs, mumps has been nearly eradicated as a common illness in children.
However, recent months have seen a resurgence of mumps, starting in Atlantic Canada and spreading to Toronto and Alberta.
In May alone, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and P.E.I. reported over 300 cases. Nova Scotia has been the most affected since the outbreak began in February, with 302 cases by May 25, primarily among university students. More than 100 hospital workers in the province had to take paid leave after being exposed to mumps.
Mumps is an infection of the salivary glands caused by the mumps virus. It typically affects children aged 2 to 12, but can also occur in other age groups, although it is rare in those over 40.
The disease is contagious and spreads through direct contact with respiratory droplets, saliva, or contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms may include fever and swelling of the salivary glands in the neck, below the jaw line.
The recent increase in mumps cases is likely due to parents choosing not to vaccinate their children with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shots. Concerns about a possible link between vaccinations and autism have led some parents to opt out of important immunizations.
mumps is a very painfull infection. i got it when i was in high school.
i got Mumps when i was a kid and this is a really painfull disease.