Background:
Mumps virus (MV), a single-stranded RNA virus of the paramyxoiridae family, is highly contagious and is most commonly associated with parotitis. There has been a significant increase in the amount of mumps cases nationally in 2023. For patients presenting with swelling of the salivary glands, or presenting with one of the common complications of MV infection (with or without parotitis), clinicians are advised to consider MV infection, with appropriate laboratory testing where clinically indicated.
Mumps Virus Alert: South Africa 2023