Mumps: Epidemiologist blames inadequate, skipped vaccination for resurgence
By Lilian U. Okoro
Lagos, Dec. 23, 2025 ( NAN) An Epidemiologist, Dr Akujuobi Igwe, on Tuesday identified inadequate and skipped vaccination as a major contributor to the resurgence of mumps infection among children in Nigeria.
Igwe, who works with the Department of Public Health, Lead City University, Ibadan, gave the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, the resurgence is neither mysterious nor inevitable; it is largely predictable, preventable, and rooted in policy and system-level gaps.
The Epidemiologist decried the absence of routine mumps vaccination, saying that Nigeria currently does not include the Measles–Mumps–Rubella (MMR) vaccine in its routine immunisation schedule.
He said that in situations where the MMR vaccine was available, it was largely confined to private health facilities and funded out-of-pocket.
According to him, for many families, this cost is prohibitive, making protection against mumps become a matter of privilege rather than a guaranteed public good.
He said, “It is with deep concern, and a sense of shared responsibility, that one observes the noticeable rise in cases of mumps among children in Nigeria.
“For many families, mumps is still perceived as a ‘minor childhood illness’—one that children simply outgrow. However, epidemiological evidence firmly reveals that the reality is far more serious.
“Nigeria currently does not include MMR vaccine in its routine immunisation schedule.
“This is unlike many countries that have drastically reduced mumps through systematic vaccination, millions of Nigerian children grow up entirely unprotected.
“Over time, this silent immunity gap accumulates, creating a large pool of susceptible children, an open invitation for outbreaks.
“Meanwhile, in situations where the MMR vaccine is available, it is largely confined to private health facilities and funded out-of-pocket”.
The health expert listed other contributing factors to mumps surge to include overcrowded and high-contact environments, underreporting, weak surveillance and low public awareness.
He lamented that awareness about mumps remained limited, as many caregivers do not recognise early symptoms or appreciate the importance of keeping infected children at home during their most infectious period.
According to him, decisions, such as sending a child to school or to gatherings despite facial swelling or fever, can unintentionally accelerate spread.
“Mumps cases are frequently managed at home, misdiagnosed, or simply ignored. As a result, outbreaks are often recognised late—if at all.
“Without timely reporting and surveillance, public health authorities lose the opportunity to intervene early, allowing transmission to continue quietly and unchecked,” he said.
On the remedial measures to curtail mumps infection, Igwe urged parents to ensure their children receive the MMR vaccine, even if through private clinics.
He said that communities and local leaders could advocate for the inclusion of MMR in public immunisation programmes, to ensure equitable access for all children.
He underscored the need to recognise and isolate suspected cases, saying that children showing parotid swelling or other mumps symptoms should be kept at home for at least five days after symptoms appear.
According to him, mumps is not always a mild illness as often presumed, while some children recover quickly, others may face serious complications, including orchitis – painful testicular inflammation in boys
Other implications, Igwe said, could be ophoritis, an ovarian inflammation in girls, meningitis or encephalitis, and hearing loss.
He noted that these implications are rare but potentially life-threatening, adding that symptoms such as hearing loss may become permanent in some unfortunate cases.
“As Nigeria is witnessing a noticeable increase in mumps cases among children, it is a moment for our communities to pause, reflect, and act with care and responsibility.
“Mumps are caused by a virus, spreads swiftly through coughs, sneezes, and close contact, particularly in schools and other crowded gatherings.
“Covering coughs and sneezes properly, avoiding sharing cups, bottles, and utensils, are necessary approaches to curtail spread.
“Similarly, there is the need for timely vaccination, good hygiene practices, education and engagements to address fears and dispel myths, and thereby provide life-saving information about vaccines and prevention,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LUC/COF
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Edited by Christiana Fadare