Should Mumps be Bumped up the Public Health Agenda in India?

Objectives: Mumps is a public health problem on a global scale. An effective vaccination exists, which is incorporated into routine immunisation schedules in over 100 countries, usually in the form of MMR for measles mumps and rubella. This is not the case in India, as mumps is not viewed as a significant enough public health problem by the government to warrant such intervention. This paper aims to add to the body of literature supporting routine immunisation with the mumps vaccine, positing that mumps is a significant enough public health problem to warrant such. Study Design: This paper presents a data set pertaining to mumps outbreaks in Kashmir, compiled by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Methods: The number of mumps outbreaks was recorded, with cases diagnosed based on clinical signs and symptoms. Door to door visits occurred in the affected villages and schools, examining for signs and symptoms. Additionally, the living conditions and surroundings of the inhabitants were examined. The current rate of cases was compared to the background rate, and the outbreak described with respect to time, place and person. Results: From July 2017 to September 2017, there were 15 outbreaks and 260 cases of mumps recorded in the Kashmir region. Conclusions: We recommend that the MMR vaccination is included in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). This would result in clinical and economic benefits, by reducing outbreaks and associated morbidity of mumps, concurrently tackling the recognised morbidity and mortality of rubella and measles.