Nurse Jane Lyons immunises student Kristian Rees at New College after the recent mumps outbreak there Picture Ref: 76922-275STUDENTS at a Swindon secondary school are being immunised following an outbreak of mumps.

There have been several confirmed cases of mumps at Kingsdown School this year, prompting the Swindon Primary Care Trust to arrange for about 475 pupils to be immunised. They will be given booster jabs today by nurses at the school.

School bursar Marlene Blackwell said: "We have had confirmed cases at the school this year not a significant number, it was under ten cases.

"But we have been advised that the immunisation programme should be carried out here.

"There will be around 475 students immunised and we will concentrating on years ten and 11 as they are the age group that may not have had the MMR jab.

"We have to get permission from parents and guardians first but the initial uptake has been very good.

"The immunisation will take place from 9.30 in the morning.

"They can do around 50 pupils every 20 to 30 minutes."

Swindon is in the grip of a mumps epidemic and there have been 96 cases since January.

The problem is partly blamed on the fact that young people now aged 16 to 23 did not have the MMR jab as babies because of a health scare.

The Advertiser on Saturday said doctors in Swindon were running short of the MMR vaccine as there has been a sudden rush of people requesting jabs.

Thousands of Swindon College students have also been vaccinated against mumps after 12 students there went down with the virus.

Dr Kandy Khandia, of Sparcells Surgery, said: "It is unusual to have so many cases at this time of year.

"Some doctors have reported seeing 15 to 20 patients with mumps. We have seen four.

"It's a good idea for school children and students to be immunised and also for them to be aware of the condition."

He said that mumps is a condition which can be dangerous.

"Normally you just get swelling of the glands but it can cause complications, such as abdominal pain, swelling of the testicles and can even affect the brain," he said. "So it must be taken seriously."

What is mumps?

Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid salivary glands, which are below and in front of the ears.

The infection is transmitted through airborne droplets by coughs and sneezes

There is an incubation period of 16 to 21 days between coming into contact with the infected person to developing symptoms

Babies are usually immunised at 12 to 15 months and then again at four. Because of concerns over the side effects of MMR vaccine, some children have not been vaccinated

MMR immunises against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles)

Symptoms of mumps include pain when chewing or swallowing, sore throat, fever, feeling tired, loss of appetite, mild abdominal pain, dry mouth and headaches

There is no treatment but sufferers are advised to drink plenty of cool fluids, especially water and to avoid fruit juice.

Diana Milne