Last year, 26 mumps infections were diagnosed, compared to 53 in 2022.

At least 10 of the 26 infections could have been prevented by proper vaccination

Cases of mumps in the Balearic Islands have halved in 2023, a year in which 26 infections were diagnosed, compared to 53 the previous year and a figure that marks one of the lowest incidences in the historical series 1990-2023, as reflected in the report of the register of notifiable diseases for last year that has prepared the Directorate General of Public Health.

Mumps virus infections, more popularly known as mumps, are prevented with the MMR vaccine, which also protects against measles and rubella, and is given free of charge in this community in two doses, at twelve months and three years of age. However, from 4 to 65 years of age is the window period in which vaccination against this disease is recoverable.

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Mumps cases in the Balearic Islands fall by half by 2023

By islands, 17 of the 26 cases diagnosed in 2023 occurred in Mallorca, 6 in the Pitiusas and 3 in Menorca. The age range of these infections was from 14 months to 84 years old, although 14 of them (54%) were under 15 years old. Two of these patients had to be hospitalised and 18 of the 26 diagnoses were confirmed by serological laboratory tests.

In last year’s diagnoses, there was evidence of complete vaccination in 16 of the 26 cases, in one case the vaccination schedule had not been completed and in two cases it had not been carried out. Therefore, Public Health concludes that at least ten of these infections could have been prevented if they had been correctly vaccinated.

In line with the above, of the 1,183 cases of mumps recorded in the Balearic Islands since 2012, 61% were correctly vaccinated and 5% were irregularly vaccinated for their age, and therefore 28% of the infections in the series (331) could be considered preventable.

Mumps is an infectious disease caused by the Paramyxovirus virus that is transmitted through saliva droplets. It is highly contagious, but less so than measles or chickenpox. It is characterised by acute painful unilateral or bilateral inflammation of the parotid or other salivary glands.

Mumps can cause central nervous system disorders such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Other complications include arthritis, kidney problems, inflammation of the thyroid gland, breast inflammation and deafness.

For this reason, it has been included in the vaccination schedule in this country since 1981 and has been a notifiable disease since 1982. Although the disease is more common in children and adolescents, it can also cause infections in susceptible adults. As the disease produces lifelong immunity, it can be prevented by administering a vaccine at a later time than the official vaccination schedule.