Concern over Waikato mumps cases

Three recent cases of mumps in Waikato have concerned health authorities, as the once common disease has become increasingly rare due to immunisation.

The three people -- two teenagers and an older person -- were not connected, a Waikato District Health Board spokeswoman said.

The DHB usually received notice of five cases of mumps a year at most, so three at one time was of concern.

Symptoms of mumps, caused by the mumps virus, included fever, pain and swelling in the jaw or front of ear region. Mumps was passed on through infected saliva.

People with mumps should stay away from work, school or preschool for nine days from when the first symptoms appear, said the DHB's Medical Officer of Health, Anita Bell.

Immunisation was the primary prevention against the disease. People who had been immunised were very unlikely to develop mumps.

- NZPA