More than 400 cases of mumps have been diagnosed so far this year compared to 184 cases for the whole of 2013, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has said.

According to the centre, most of this year's cases have occurred in young people aged 17 to 20.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection, which is most common in children over the age of two who have not been vaccinated, and teenagers and young adults.

It is spread via airborne droplets, i.e. when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through direct contact with an infected person/contaminated items. Symptoms can include fever, headache and a swollen jaw or cheeks.

Complications are usually mild however serious complications can include meningitis, deafness and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or pancreas.

Protection from the disease is available via the MMR vaccine, which is administered to babies aged 12-15 months. This is then followed by a booster shot when the child begins school at the age of four or five. A single dose of the vaccine prevents mumps in over 90% of immunised children. When the second booster shot is given, over 99% of immunised children are protected.

Speaking on RTE Radio earlier, Dr Suzanne Cotter of the HPSC said that while the current outbreak of mumps is not expected to be as severe as the last large outbreak in 2009, anyone who has not been vaccinated already should get themselves vaccinated immediately as this is the best method of protection.

For more information on vaccination, see our unique Child Immunisation Tracker here