Mumps is currently circulating in the community at a higher than usual level in Lothian. Most cases are young adults, older than school age, but we are starting to see cases in school children. Mumps is a viral infection which is not usually a serious illness but it can take up to ten days or more to feel better. The infection can be easily spread from person to person by direct contact with saliva or droplets of saliva (e.g. via coughs and sneezes) from an infected individual.

Lothian NHS Board have issued a letter giving further information surrounding Mumps and the MMR vaccination.