From the Guidelines
The management of mumps in Australia is primarily focused on vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to prevent the disease.
Key Strategies
- Vaccination: The principal strategy to prevent mumps is to achieve and maintain high immunization levels by routinely vaccinating all children with two doses of MMR vaccine 1.
- Outbreak Control: In the event of an outbreak, the strategy includes defining the target population, identifying and vaccinating susceptible individuals, and conducting active surveillance for mumps until two incubation periods (5-6 weeks) have elapsed since the onset of the last case 1.
- Healthcare Workers: An effective routine MMR vaccination program for healthcare workers is the best approach to prevent nosocomial transmission of mumps 1.
Vaccination Recommendations
- Adults: Mumps vaccine is indicated for all adults believed to be susceptible, unless they have documentation of physician-diagnosed mumps, adequate immunization with live mumps vaccine on or after their first birthday, or laboratory evidence of immunity 1.
- Revaccination: Revaccination with MMR may be important for mumps, especially in highly vaccinated populations, and is recommended under certain circumstances 1.
From the Research
Management of Mumps in Australia
The management of mumps in Australia involves a combination of vaccination, outbreak control measures, and supportive treatment.
- Vaccination is the primary method of preventing mumps, with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine being administered at ages 1 and 4 years 2.
- In the event of an outbreak, an additional dose of MMR vaccine may be offered to high-risk populations, such as those in communal or high-density living conditions 3, 4.
- Supportive treatment is generally provided to manage symptoms, with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and interferon alpha-2b treatment being considered for certain complications such as mumps epididymo-orchitis 2.
Outbreak Control Measures
Outbreak control measures in Australia include:
- Laboratory diagnosis using techniques such as reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and serology 2, 5.
- Notification of cases to public health authorities, with subsequent investigation and follow-up 3, 4.
- Implementation of infection control measures, such as isolation and quarantine, to prevent further transmission 3, 4.
Vaccine Effectiveness
The effectiveness of the MMR vaccine in preventing mumps is estimated to be around 80% after one dose, with a second dose providing additional protection 5.
- However, outbreaks of mumps have occurred in vaccinated populations, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance and outbreak control measures 3, 4, 6.
- Seropositivity to mumps in Australia has been found to be well-maintained, with low notifications of mumps over certain periods suggesting an absence of community-based transmission 6.