Clinical and epidemiological aspects of mumps virus infection

Abstract

Background: Mumps is an acute viral infection characterized by a non-specific prodrome, followed by acute onset of unilateral or bilateral tender swelling of parotid or other salivary glands. The aim of the study is to describe an epidemic form of mumps viral infection in the region of Strumica. Methods: Retrospective clinical studi of 1248 mumps cases diagnosed in the last 2 years in the Department of Infectious Diseases in Strumica. Results: Between 1 March 2008 and 31 March 2009, a total of 1248 mumps cases were notified in our department. In total, 533 cases were hospitalized for clinical indications. The majority of patient had epididymo-orchitis 253 (47%). Unilateral involvement was found in 20-30% of patients, whereas bilateral involvement occurs in fewer than 2% of cases. Other localizations of the mumps infection were unilateral parotitis 225 patients (42,2%), meningitis 43 (8,1%), and pancreatitis 12 (2,25%). The peak incidence of mumps in 2008 was in June 290 patients, July 225 and May 187 patients. Of the 1248 reported cases of mumps, 49,6% were between 15-19 years old, and 416 (79%) were male. Vaccination data were available and 96% of them had been vaccinated. Mumps vaccination coverage has been high since its introduction in 1983, except for a period in the 1992 and 1993. Individuals born in 1992-1993 had coverage only with one dose of mumps vaccine. Patients who had documentation of receiving only one dose of vaccine were at greater risk than those who received tho doses. Treatment was supportive, symptom-based. No deaths have been reported. Conclusion: The main strategies for controlling a mumps outbreak are to define the risk population and transmission setting, identify and isolate suspected cases, and to rapidly identify and vaccinate susceptible persons. Vaccination is the cornerstone of mumps prevention. Abstracts for SupplementInternational Journal of Infectious DiseasesVol. 14Preview Full-Text PDF Open Archive