[Mumps--still actual epidemiological problem in Poland]

Mumps is a viral infection primarily affecting the salivary glands. Although disease is usually mild about 10-15% of patients can develop aseptic meningitis. Rare but more serious complication is encephalitis, which can result in death. Orchitis, pancreatitis, deafness are other complications of mumps. In the countries where there is no vaccination for mumps, its incidence remains high, usually >100 per 100,000 population with epidemic peaks every 2-5 years. Peak incidence is found among children 5-9 years of age. The mumps morbidity in Poland is in the range 50-560 per 100,000 population. Up to 2003, 107 countries reported using mumps vaccine in their national immunization programmes. Countries that have achieved high coverage have shown rapid decline in mumps morbidity (for a one-dose schedule > or = 80%, for two-dose schedule > or = 97%). This review analyses the clinical manifestation, epidemiology of mumps as well as immunogenicity, effectiveness and safety of different types of mumps vaccines. It also provides information about epidemiological situation for mumps in Poland in the context of national mumps immunization programmme. There is low seroprevalence among the children population in Poland--up to 2003, about 75% children population in the 1 to 4 age group was seronegative for mumps. The childhood mumps vaccination should aim at an 80% coverage rate, or more. An insufficient childhood vaccination coverage may result in an epidemiological shift in the incidence of mumps to older age groups. If a large proportion of the population remains seronegative for mumps, vaccination of adults should be also considered.