Preventable mumps cases rising in Canada

OTTAWA, March 14 (UPI) -- The number of preventable cases of mumps is increasing in Canada, and federal officials say part of the problem is opposition to vaccinations.

Dr. Paul Varughese of the federal Public Health Agency told the Ottawa Citizen the number of cases jumped from 17 in 2006 to 1,284 reported in 2007. He said there are already 130 cases reported this year.

"Some people don't want to immunize their kid because of religious or philosophical reasons, they say 'I don't believe in the vaccine' or 'the vaccine causes more harm than good.' But they are not science-based decisions," Varughese said.

He said the agency recommends children get mumps vaccine at 12 months and again at 18 months or, at a doctor's discretion, at 4-6 years of age, the report said.

In children, mumps inflames the salivary glands, which is rarely fatal, but very uncomfortable, said Dr. Gillian Arsenault, a medical officer in British Columbia.

By 1983, all Canadian provinces offered a single vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella, but rising mumps infection rates indicate fewer children are getting them, the report said.