The GGD Zuid Limburg (Public Health Service) has informed all current and prospective students of Maastricht University about the mumps by e-mail. Since December 2009, an increase of mumps has been reported in The Netherlands. In 2011, new cases of mumps are still being reported. Especially students have an increased risk of mumps. This is partly due to the intense contact between people in student houses, student associations, parties and introduction activities. Because of the ongoing transmission of mumps among students, GGD Zuid Limburg advises students who are not, or only once, vaccinated against mumps to get additional vaccination(s).
Also vaccinated students can get mumps, most likely because the protective effect of the vaccine is decreasing over the years. Vaccination against mumps (MMR/BMR) is important to prevent complications of a mumps infection. Research shows that among persons who develop mumps, vaccinated persons have a significantly lower risk of serious complications than those who have not been vaccinated against mumps.
Do you have symptoms, possibly matching mumps?
Please contact you general practitioner. The GGD monitors the current mumps epidemic. We would like to ask you, in case of symptoms, to contact the GGD Zuid Limburg as well (if you're living here in the region). The GGD can do an additional saliva and urine test.
More information or vaccination?
For more information, contact the department of infectious diseases of the GGD Zuid Limburg by calling 045-8506609 or send an email to Would you like to be vaccinated, please contact EASE Travel Clinic & Health Support in Maastricht (0900-8504466). The vaccination will cost 20 euros.
If you do not (yet) live in the South Limburg region, please contact your regional Public Health Service or your own general practitioner (also when you have symptoms, possibly matching mumps).
Increased risk of measles in France
Since 2008, outbreaks of measles have been on the rise in various parts of France: 604 cases in 2008, 1544 in 2009 and 5090 in 2010. During the first 3 months of 2011, 4937 cases were already reported. The average age of the patients in the first 3 months of 2011 is 15. Between October 2010 and March 2011, 80% of these cases were reported in 6 regions, mainly in the south-east of France. In these areas, an incidence of over 15/100,000 was found. The regions involved are Rhône-Alpes (incidence 78/100,000), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (40), Languedoc-Roussillon (31), Franche-Comté (26), Auvergne (20) and Midi-Pyrénées (16). No information is known about the vaccination status of those infected. The average take-up of MMR vaccination in France is only 90%. Outbreaks of measles have been reported in various European countries. In many countries, these are local clusters in areas where there is good vaccination take-up. Consequently, the risk for travellers has not increased significantly. During the holiday period, many Dutch families may be travelling to these areas in France with small children. These families run an increased risk of contracting measles, particularly if they expect to come into extensive contact with the local population in these areas. They are therefore advised to ensure that all unvaccinated children over the age of 6 months are vaccinated. Vaccination of all adults born after 1 January 1970 who have not been vaccinated and who have never contracted measles is also advised.
Less frequent (early) MMR vaccination required for travellers
Due to the lower take-up of the measles vaccination in many other countries, non-vaccinated travellers to these countries have an increased risk of contracting measles. Vaccination is therefore advised for some non-vaccinated adults and all non-vaccinated children planning to visit one of these countries. MMR vaccination is currently advised for trips outside the Western world (i.e. outside North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand). In recent years, vaccination take-up has increased in many non-Western countries. (Early) MMR vaccination is therefore no longer required for travellers to these countries. Pending a specific list of countries for which measles vaccination is not required, the following countries are excluded from (early) MMR: Turkey and the whole American continent (South America, Central America and North America, including the Caribbean).
Travellers to Japan: Packing potassium iodide tablets as a preventative measure not currently necessary
All travellers are advised to keep up to date with the latest advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via www.minbuza.nl. The radioactive substances released in a nuclear accident can contain radioactive iodine. By taking tablets containing non-radioactive iodine, the thyroid gland absorbs less of the radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide tablets only offer protection against radioactive iodine and not against other forms of radiation. They can also cause side effects. With regard to taking potassium iodide tablets, it is recommended that travellers follow the advice issued by the Japanese government. Calculations show that even in the worst-case scenario, the radiation level at which potassium iodide tablets should start to be taken will not be attained in Tokyo. This is, however, the case in nearby Fukushima. Issuing potassium iodide tablets to travellers to Japan as a preventive measure is currently not recommended. Different advice may apply to care workers in the affected areas; they should follow the advice of their company doctor.
Increase in dengue fever on Aruba
The number of cases of dengue fever on Aruba is currently high. Up to 23 November, 538 cases had been reported. That number will probably increase further in connection with the rainy season, which runs from October to February. Advice: Take anti-mosquito precautions
Malaria among Dutch travellers from Gambia
In early December, it emerged that 2 Dutch travellers had died of malaria. They had contracted the disease in Gambia. The patients only spent 1 to 2 weeks in Gambia and did not use any malaria prophylaxis. In previous years, cases of malaria have regularly been reported among tourists visiting Gambia at the end of the rainy season, which runs roughly from June to mid-September. Two travellers also died from the effects of malaria in 2008.
Gambia is a significant risk country in West Africa because it is a destination for cheap last-minute travel and because it is one of the few countries in the region that does not make yellow fever vaccine compulsory. For this reason, travellers are less likely to go to a vaccination clinic before their trip. Advice: Always visit a vaccination clinic before travelling to Gambia for personal advice. The use of anti-malaria drugs is recommended for the whole of Gambia. Other precautions or vaccines may also be necessary. Always use them in combination with good mosquito protection and sleep under a mosquito net.
Cholera in Haiti and the Dominican Republic
The number of cholera patients in Haiti is still rising. Up to the end of November, 23,377 hospitalisations had been reported and 1344 people had died. It is expected that, despite all the measures taken, the epidemic will still last a long time and will rear its head again over the coming years. Advice: Always go to a vaccination clinic for personal advice. For care providers, the cholera vaccination is recommended.
