Our biggest city is facing its worst outbreak of the virus since 1994, with the Auckland Regional Public Health Service seeing 740 new cases of mumps this year.

Mumps normally only affect a few Kiwis a year, but the number of cases so far this year has skyrocketed to more than 750 in Auckland alone.



The outbreak is expected to continue into 2018, so the Ministry of Health and Auckland Regional Public Health Service are planning a nationwide response.



All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane – one of the Aucklanders who has recently contracted the contagious virus – carried it with him to the United Kingdom. Consequently he may be ruled out of the All Blacks' upcoming test against France.



The outbreak is Auckland's worst outbreak of the virus since 1994.

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* Mumps outbreak hits 'lost generation' hardest, over 740 cases in Auckland

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* Public health warning over mumps outbreak in Auckland



What is mumps?

Mumps is a contagious viral infection of the salivary glands that spreads rapidly in close quarters. Symptoms include jaw pain, fevers, headaches, fatigue, and swelling.

STUFF An outbreak of mumps is taking over the country. Do you know how to protect yourself from the virus?

If you have caught mumps, you will be infectious from one week before swelling appears until five days afterwards.



How is mumps spread?



Mumps is spread predominantly through the air and person-to-person contact. It can be transmitted by breathing, coughing, sneezing, sharing food and drink, touching, kissing, touching, and touching the same objects and surfaces touched by an infected person.

What caused this outbreak?



There was an unusually high number of cases throughout New Zealand between September 2016 and early 2017, prompting the Ministry of Health to warn people of "an increased risk of further outbreaks".



In August 2017, an outbreak of the mumps spread to the South Island. University of Otago students were given free booster shots following about 10 confirmed or suspected cases.



Medical officer of health Josephine Herman said low vaccination rates, particularly among 10 to 29-year-olds, are to blame for the soaring number of cases. The Ministry of Health says 12 to 29-year-olds are the age group least likely to have been immunised as children.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service warned in July 2017 that not enough people were vaccinated.

How can you protect yourself from mumps?

Immunisation. Kiwi kids normally receive the free measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) injections at 15 months and 4 years of age. The Ministry of Health says the vaccine protects about 85 per cent of people from mumps. The small number of people who are vaccinated but still contract mumps are less likely to fall seriously ill.

I'm not sure if I'm vaccinated. What can I do?

If you are unable to find your vaccination records or you can't remember if you got the two doses, the Ministry of Health recommends getting vaccinated anyway. It's free and the extra dose will not harm you.

Vaccination is particularly vital for overseas travel; both to protect yourself and to prevent spreading the virus internationally.

Anyone who suspects they have mumps is urged to contact their doctor or call Healthline for advice on 0800 611 116.

People with questions about vaccinations can phone the Immunisation Advisory Centre on 0800 Immune (0800 466 863).