THERE has been a massive increase in outbreaks of mumps in Galway – and the HSE West yesterday warned young people to ensure they are vaccinated against the potentially dangerous disease.

The number of cases reported up to this week has soared by more than fifteen times the numbers reported for the same period last year in the three western counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

The Department of Public Health, HSE West warned that all teenagers and young adults in Galway need to ensure that they have had two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine to avoid contracting the mumps infection.

Dr Jennifer Martin, Public Health Doctor with HSE West said: “Since the beginning of 2008 there has been a large increase in the number of mumps cases notified to the HSE West, with 258 reported by mid December this year, this compares with 18 cases reported last year.

“Most cases are...