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Characteristics of reported mumps cases in the United States: 2018-2023
Jamie Tappe1, Jessica Leung1, Adria D Mathis1
1Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States.
Background:
This paper highlights recent clinical complications of mumps reported in the United States and summarizes appropriate confirmatory testing for mumps, encouraging vigilance for mumps disease, an endemic vaccine-preventable illness.
Methods:
Surveillance data from jurisdictions reporting confirmed and probable cases of mumps in the United States were descriptively analyzed to assess epidemiologic trends from January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2023. Data were reported to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System and the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Project O. Cases were classified according to the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists 2011 mumps case definition.
Results:
From 2018-2023, United States health departments reported 8,006 confirmed and probable mumps cases to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System, of which 85.4% occurred during January 1, 2018-April 4, 2020 and 14.6% during April 5, 2020-December 31, 2023. The incidence of mumps was highest among those aged 18-24 years during 2018-2020 (maximum of 4.54 cases per 100,000 persons in 2019), and highest among those aged 1-4 years during 2021-2023 (maximum 0.67 per 100,000 persons in 2023). Incidence among all age groups during 2021-2023 remained below levels during 2018-2020. Fewer than 12% of mumps cases were confirmed during 2021-2023, compared to >50% during 2018-2019.
Conclusions:
Although incidence has declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, these surveillance data highlight that mumps remains endemic in the United States. Therefore, maintaining high MMR vaccination coverage is essential to prevent future vaccine-preventable outbreaks and minimize severe complications from infection.
Insights
Mumps remains endemic in the U.S., with incidence declining post-COVID-19 but still requiring vigilance. High measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage is crucial to prevent outbreaks and complications.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Mumps is an endemic, vaccine-preventable illness.
- Recent clinical complications of mumps have been reported in the United States.
- Appropriate confirmatory testing for mumps is essential for vigilance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight recent clinical complications of mumps in the U.S.
- To summarize appropriate confirmatory testing for mumps.
- To encourage vigilance for mumps disease.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive analysis of surveillance data from U.S. health departments (2018-2023).
- Data sourced from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System and the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Project.
- Cases classified using the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists 2011 mumps case definition.
Main Results:
- 8,006 confirmed and probable mumps cases reported from 2018-2023.
- Most cases (85.4%) occurred between January 2018 and April 2020.
- Incidence shifted from young adults (18-24 years) in 2018-2020 to young children (1-4 years) in 2021-2023, with overall lower incidence post-2020.
- Confirmation rates decreased significantly post-April 2020.
Conclusions:
- Mumps remains endemic in the United States despite declining incidence post-COVID-19 pandemic.
- High measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage is essential.
- Maintaining high vaccination rates will prevent future outbreaks and minimize severe complications.
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