ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mumps is an infectious disease, occurring rarely in many countries including Greece, where approximately 50 cases are reported each year. In Crete, Greece's biggest island, an average number of four cases are reported annually. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consists of all patients hospitalised because of mumps in our clinic. Clinical, laboratory and serological confirmation of the disease has been performed. RESULTS: During the tourist summer periods of 2004 and 2005, 39 patients with mumps have been hospitalized in our clinic in Crete. All patients but one were young tourists from Britain. The patients presented with parotid gland swelling and fever and some developed complications of the disease as well. CONCLUSION: The above findings are consistent with the mumps epidemic, now occurring in the UK. The disease is spreading among the Greek population as well, since six cases have been reported. This study investigates the reasons for this epidemic, focusing on the role of MMR vaccination.
