Mumps

Statutory notification alert

• Mumps infection is a notifiable infectious disease in Western Australia.
• See notifiable communicable disease case definitions (Word 1.29MB).
• Notifications should be made using the communicable disease notification form for metropolitan residents (PDF 214KB) or regional residents (PDF 213KB).
• For notification of regional residents see contact details of public health units.
• See also description of Statutory medical notifications in Western Australia.

Public health management

Important information

• Infectious agent: Mumps virus.
• Transmission: Mumps is spread through airborne droplets, when an infected person coughs or sneezes close to a non-immune person. Sharing saliva with an infected person can also spread the virus.
• Incubation period: 12-25 days (average 17 days).
• Infectious period: People with mumps are most infectious from 2 days before to 5 days after the onset of parotitis (swelling of the salivary glands), however people may be infectious for up to 7 days before to 9 days after the onset of parotitis, with the virus detectable in the urine for up to 14 days after the onset of parotitis. Asymptomatic cases can also be infectious.
• Case exclusion: Cases should stay away from work, school, group gatherings and contact with anyone who may not be immune, until 5 days after the onset of parotitis/swelling.
• Contact exclusion: Do not exclude.
• Treatment: No specific anti-viral treatment. Symptomatic treatment only.
• Immunisation: Recommended that children be vaccinated according to the Western Australian immunisation schedule. Two doses of mumps vaccine is also recommended for all non-immune adolescents and adults. See Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health – Mumps (external site).
• Case follow-up: Is conducted by public health units (Healthy WA) and the Communicable Disease Control Directorate.

Guidelines

• Western Australian immunisation schedule
• Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health – Mumps (external site)
• Communicable Disease Guidelines, for teachers, child care workers, local government authorities and medical practitioners

Notifiable disease data and reports

• Notifiable infectious disease dashboard
• General infectious disease reports