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Mumps — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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EasyInfection Prevention & ControlMumpsSCE Infectious Diseases

A 30-year-old man presents with painful bilateral parotid swelling, orchitis, and fever. He is unvaccinated against MMR. Salivary amylase is elevated. Mumps IgM is positive. What is the most important public health action?

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Correct answer: A — Notify the local Health Protection Team (HPT) — mumps is a notifiable disease

Mumps is a notifiable disease in England and Wales under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations. Notification to the local HPT enables contact tracing, identification of outbreaks (particularly in universities/close communities), and public health response. There is no specific antiviral treatment. While post-exposure MMR vaccination may not prevent disease in the current exposure, it protects against future exposures. The patient should be isolated from susceptible contacts for 5 days after parotid swelling onset.

Reference: UKHSA 2024 – Green Book Ch 23: Mumps; Public Health Notifications Regulations