Cases of the Mumps in Ireland have risen by an alarming 650 percent in a year.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has confirmed that so far this year a total of 451 mumps cases were notified.
This compares to just 60 for the same period in 2018.
The majority of mumps cases to date in 2019 have been in teenagers and young adults - and a total of 20 people were hospitalised.
Most cases have been reported in the east, followed by the north east and the west.
Symptoms of mumps include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness
- And swollen, tender salivary glands.
Mumps often gives the appearance of swollen cheeks or jaw.
The HSPC says the best protection against mumps is to be fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine.
