Mumps

Statutory notification alert

Public health management

Important information

  • Infectious agent: Mumps virus.
  • Transmission: Mumps is spread through airborne droplets, when an infected person coughs or sneezes close to a non-immune person. Sharing saliva with an infected person can also spread the virus.
  • Incubation period: 12-25 days (average 17 days).
  • Infectious period: People with mumps are most infectious from 2 days before to 5 days after the onset of parotitis (swelling of the salivary glands), however people may be infectious for up to 7 days before to 9 days after the onset of parotitis, with the virus detectable in the urine for up to 14 days after the onset of parotitis. Asymptomatic cases can also be infectious.
  • Case exclusion: Cases should stay away from work, school, group gatherings and contact with anyone who may not be immune, until 5 days after the onset of parotitis/swelling.
  • Contact exclusion: Do not exclude.
  • Treatment: No specific anti-viral treatment. Symptomatic treatment only.
  • Immunisation: Recommended that children be vaccinated according to the Western Australian immunisation schedule. Two doses of mumps vaccine is also recommended for all non-immune adolescents and adults. See Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health – Mumps (external site).
  • Case follow-up: Is conducted by public health units (Healthy WA) and the Communicable Disease Control Directorate.

Guidelines

Notifiable disease data and reports

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