Epidemiology and Public Health
Mumps occurs world-wide, but is rare in countries like the USA because individuals in these countries have access to the MMR vaccine. Third-world countries have a higher incidence of the Mumps virus. The number of people infected with this virus peaks in late winter and spring, but it can occur any time throughout the year. It is highly contagious and has a similar contagious level as influenza and rubella, but it is less contagious than measles or varicella. The infectious period is considered to be 3-4 days of the active disease. The most commonly infected group of people is school-aged children (or 2-12 years old). You are more likely to get mumps if you have a weakened immune system, such as being infected with HIV or medication (oral steroid use for more than two weeks). The MMR vaccine is very important for preventing being infected with Mumps and spreading it.
Countries using the MMR vaccine
http://sanofi-paediatrics.com/web/immunisation/toddler_immunisation/mumps
http://sanofi-paediatrics.com/web/immunisation/toddler_immunisation/mumps
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/mumps.html
Sources
"Mumps Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Mumps in Children and Adults? - MedicineNet."MedicineNet. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <http://www.medicinenet.com/mumps/page3.htm>.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Oct. 2012. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/mumps.html>.
Sources
"Mumps Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Mumps in Children and Adults? - MedicineNet."MedicineNet. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <http://www.medicinenet.com/mumps/page3.htm>.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Oct. 2012. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/mumps.html>.