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The number of confirmed mumps cases within Merseyside has increased by 562%.

According to the data from Public Health England (PHE), since the start of 2019, 106 cases of mumps have been confirmed, compared to 16 cases during the same period in 2018.

PHE have confirmed that the “majority” of cases have involved students.

Dr Janey Kenyon, Consultant in Health Protection at PHE North West, said: “Mumps should not be treated lightly.

"It can be a severe disease, with potential for serious side-effects including viral meningitis, long term hearing problems and painful swelling of the testicles in males and the ovaries in females."

"We know that some students of university age across the country may have missed out on their MMR when they were younger as MMR uptake was as low as 80% in 2003. This means that many young people remain unprotected.

“PHE is encouraging anyone who has not been fully vaccinated to take up the offer of the MMR vaccination .”

The ECHO has reached out to universities throughout the city.

Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts said they had not had any cases of mumps, while Liverpool John Moores University confirmed that there had been one case among the student population since the start of 2019.

A spokesperson for John Moores said: “In line with Department of Health advice, we ask all our students to ensure they are fully immunised before enrolling at university and we regularly remind them to ensure they have had both doses of the MMR vaccine”.

University of Liverpool said, “Every year, a small number of University of Liverpool students who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine catch mumps.

“The University actively promotes the importance of the MMR vaccine during welcome week and throughout students’ time at university”.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that is recognisable by the painful swellings at the side of the face under the ears.

Local MP, Louise Ellman said: “It is absolutely vital that people are vaccinated for the safety of the community”.

According to the NHS England , a person is most contagious a few days before symptoms develop and then for a few days afterwards.

Symptoms of mumps include headaches, joint pain and a high temperature, which may develop a few days before the swelling of the parotid glands.

In recent years there have been growing fears of a mumps resurgence.

According to data from PHE , the total number of confirmed mumps infections in England last year was 1024, compared to 713 infections in 2015.