Paramyxoviruses: Mumps

Abstract

Mumps is an acute contagious disease caused by a non-segmented negative strain RNA virus in the paramyxovirus family. Infection with the mumps virus typically results in unilateral or bilateral parotitis, frequently accompanied by more significant complications, such as meningitis, pancreatitis, or orchitis. Symptoms usually resolve within 2 weeks of onset; serious complications are rare. Approximately one-third of infections are unrecognized or present with nonspecific or primarily respiratory symptoms. Prior to implementation of national mumps immunization programs, more than 90 % of most populations had serologic evidence of exposure to the virus by adolescence. Following widespread use of mumps-containing vaccine, disease incidence declined sharply, particularly in countries with a two-dose vaccine program. However, over the past few years there has been resurgence in mumps cases globally, even in highly vaccinated populations.