Mumps

Mumps is an acute viral disease of humans caused by the mumps virus, a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. The disease is classified under ICD-10 code B26 and ICD-11 code KA62. It is characterized primarily by inflammation of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands, and is preventable through vaccination.

Mumps typically presents with an initial prodrome of non-specific symptoms including fever, headache, malaise, muscle pain, and loss of appetite, followed by characteristic painful swelling of the parotid glands (parotitis). The incubation period averages 16 to 18 days following exposure. Approximately one-third of infections are asymptomatic. While most cases resolve without complications, the disease can cause inflammatory conditions affecting multiple organ systems including the testes, breasts, ovaries, pancreas, meninges, and brain. Viral meningitis occurs in approximately 25% of cases, and testicular orchitis in 10-40% of post-pubertal males may result in reduced fertility, though sterility is rare. Deafness is an uncommon but documented complication.

Mumps primarily affects children aged 5 to 9 years, though adolescents and young adults also remain susceptible. Humans are the only known natural hosts for the virus. In the 21st century, mumps has experienced a notable resurgence in populations with high vaccination coverage, with outbreaks occurring among adolescents and young adults in densely crowded settings such as schools, sports teams, religious gatherings, and military installations. The causes of this reemergence are multifactorial and include waning vaccine-induced immunity, pockets of low vaccination coverage, vaccine failure, and potential antigenic variation of circulating virus strains.

The mumps virus is transmitted primarily through respiratory secretions, including droplets and saliva, as well as through direct contact with infected individuals. The pathogen is highly contagious and spreads efficiently in crowded environments. Transmission can occur from approximately one week before the onset of clinical symptoms until eight days after symptoms appear, facilitating rapid community spread in institutional settings.

Children aged 5 to 9 years represent the primary demographic affected by mumps, though the disease also occurs in adolescents and young adults. Post-pubertal males face elevated risk of orchitis as a complication. Individuals in densely crowded environments, including students, military personnel, and athletes, are at increased risk during outbreak situations. Persons with waning vaccine immunity or incomplete vaccination status are also at elevated risk.

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease, with the mumps component typically included in combination vaccines such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). Vaccination has dramatically reduced disease incidence in populations with high coverage, though breakthrough infections can occur. Public-health measures in outbreak settings may include isolation of cases, enhancement of ventilation in crowded spaces, and verification of vaccination status among close contacts.

Mumps surveillance should account for the disease's variable clinical presentation, as up to one-third of infections may be asymptomatic or manifest only with mild respiratory symptoms. The 16-18 day incubation period requires epidemiological investigation to identify exposure settings and potential transmission chains. Given the resurgence among young adults in congregate settings, surveillance systems should maintain sensitivity for detecting outbreaks in schools, universities, and military installations. Laboratory confirmation through serology or PCR is recommended given the non-specific nature of early symptoms.

1. 1 WHO Health Topics. Mumps.
2. 2 WHO Fact Sheet. Detail.
3. 3 WHO Q&A. News.
4. 4 Wikidata. mumps.
5. 5 Wikipedia. Mumps - Wikipedia.

ICD-10

B26

ICD-11

KA62

Total cases

4.1M

Total deaths

27

Peak month

2012-06

Coverage

4 reporting countries · 2000-01-01 → 2026-05-09