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Mumps at a glance

Mumps is a relatively rare vaccine preventable disease characterized by symptoms including:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Painful swelling of one or both salivary glands

More serious complications can include:

  • painful inflammation of the testicles or ovaries among post-pubescent males/females.
  • inflammation of the brain
  • temporary heading damage

The most common preventative measure against mumps is immunization with a mumps-containing vaccine; in Canada this is the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. In order to be fully protected against mumps, two doses of vaccine are required.

Findings from the study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal:
Two-dose vaccine coverage necessary to reduce mumps outbreaks; vaccine programs need continuous evaluation

More information on mumps:

Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/vpd-mev/mumps-eng.php

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/mumps/

Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mumps/default.htm

Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Mumps Outbreaks in Canada:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/10vol36/36s1/index-eng.php

For more information on the recent outbreak in the Toronto area:

Contact Toronto Public Health 416-392-1250
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