FRESHERS need to make sure they're up to date with student vaccines before the start of the university term says Public Health England South West. This follows an increase in mumps cases driven by outbreaks at universities across the country earlier this year.

Latest figures show that 227 cases of mumps were confirmed in the south west between April and June 2019 with 2,028 cases confirmed across England within the same timeframe.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection most recognisable by the painful swellings in the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands), giving a person who contracts it a distinctive "hamster face" appearance.

Mumps usually passes without causing serious illness and severe complications are rare. However it can lead to viral meningitis if the virus moves into the outer layer of the brain. Other complications include swelling of the testicles or ovaries (if the affected person has gone through puberty) which may affect a person's fertility.

The increase in mumps has been mostly driven by outbreaks in university students, said PHESW. Now they are attending Freshers Fairs to promote the vaccine, and messaging will be included in email updates and blogs from UCAS.

Lead Consultant for Screening and Immunisation for Public Health England South West, Dr Julie Yates, said: “Although it is normal to see mumps outbreaks in universities every few years, we are seeing a significant number of cases - the highest quarterly figure since 2009.

“Coupled with the continued measles outbreaks these figures clearly demonstrate the need for sustained high vaccination rates.

"Starting college or university is an important and exciting time. As parents we want to make sure our children, whatever age they are are, are as safe and prepared as they can be when they start on this new adventure.

"One of the things we can do is check to make sure that our young people have had all their vaccinations."

Alongside the MMR vaccine, PHESW want students to make sure they’ve had the MenACWY vaccine which protects against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) – which can both be fatal. Young adults are particularly at risk as they are carriers of the disease.