Cases of mumps on Teesside have reached epidemic levels, it has been revealed.
The number of cases shot up from 26 at the end of December, to 325 by the end of March. Young people aged between 16 to 25 are particularly at risk.
To curb the outbreak Teesside University is advising students to have the MMR vaccine.
Ian Holtby, consultant in communicable disease control, said Teesside was reflecting a national trend.
Dr Holtby, who works for County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority, said: "There has been quite a considerable increase in cases of mumps in this area.
"We are in an epidemic, which is the same nationally.
"People starting university or college are most at risk as the outbreaks have taken place in these settings."
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