Surveillance of Mumps in the United States as Background for Use of Vaccine

MUMPS is a common infectious disease, particularly among children.Although the illness is not usually severe, considerable morbidity and loss of time from school occur because of the large numbers affected.In addi- tion, a number of complications may ensue.Meningeal involvement is the most common complication, but central nervous system disease with residua is rare.However, orchitis, which occurs in approximately 20 percent of postpubertal males with clinical mumps, is a significant complication.The symptomatic in- involvement of other organs occurs less fre- quently.The loss of productive time because of un- complicated mumps as well as the morbidity as- sociated with meningitis and orchitis are rea- sonable justification for mumps prevention.In the past, the use of hyperimmune globulin and inactivated vaccines has proved to be less than optimal in both effectiveness and duration of protection.