DOZENS of York students have been hit by an outbreak of mumps.

The North Yorkshire Health Protection Unit was informed of 35 cases in the last two days, mainly involving students attending further education colleges.

A spokeswoman said there were increasing incidents of mumps occurring across the country and York was "certainly not an isolated cluster". Cases across the country particularly involve young people born between 1982 and 1989 as these people may have only received one, or indeed no, MMR vaccine in childhood. The illness in young men can lead to fertility problems and health chiefs are advising people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. They say that those with suspected mumps should stay off school or work for at least five days after symptoms first develop.

There is no specific treatment for mumps, but symptoms may be relieved with paracetamol or similar medications which will help bring down a high temperature. Anyone who has been in contact with a case is being offered MMR vaccination which is effective in protecting against mumps infection.

For more information about mumps, please contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, May 19, 2004