title: Mumps outbreaks in four universities in the North West of England: prevention, detection and response.
abstract: Evidence suggests that primary and secondary vaccine failure have contributed to recent university-based mumps outbreaks. We describe the epidemiology and public health management of two such outbreaks that occurred simultaneously in two areas of the North West of England, affecting four universities, using data from routine surveillance, serology testing, and telephone interviews and electronic questionnaires. Vaccination status was obtained from GP records. Cases were predominantly first year students living in university halls of residence. Public health response involved active surveillance, isolation advice and targeted vaccination clinics. Many students lack natural immunity and mumps vaccination. Factors hindering the public health response include delayed notifications, inability to readily define the 'at risk' population, low vaccine uptake, and lack of an evidence-based, cost effective strategy.
authors: Cumbria & Lancashire Health Protection Unit, Health Protection Agency, Chorley, PR7 1NY, United Kingdom.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Kay
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Roche
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Atkinson
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Lamden
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Vivancos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009107:Mumps / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009108:Mumps Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014495:Universities; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009108:Mumps Vaccine