Mumps outbreak is sweeping across Brighton and Hove

There have been 30 confirmed cases of the virus in the city since January compared to 20 for the whole of 2009.

Top doctor Tom Scanlon today warned things are likely to get worse instead of better with more cases expected to emerge in the next few months.

The outbreak is being blamed on the low uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR).

Cases have mainly affected young adults in their 20s, who missed out on their vaccination jabs because of the MMR scare in the 1990s.

A study suggested a link between the vaccine and autism which led to take up rates falling dramatically.

The study has since been discredited but take up rates have been slow to recover.

Dr Scanlon, director of public health in Brighton and Hove, said he was saddened but not surprised by the rise in cases, and linked it to the measles outbreak which affected the city last year.

More than 100 children are thought to have been struck down with measles during 2009 compared to less than ten the year before.

Dr Scanlon said a pattern had definitely emerged.

He added: “It is sad but not unexpected that we are experiencing these numbers of mumps cases and it is directly linked to the low uptake of the MMR vaccine.

“Measles is more contagious than mumps so it was not surprising that we saw those cases emerge first.

“Mumps is also contagious but not so easily transferable so it takes longer for an outbreak to emerge.”

A recent report to the city's health overview and scrutiny committee shows the uptake rate for the recommended two doses of MMR dropping lower than 50% in some areas.

The current take up rate for Brighton is 81%.

The World Health Organisations says 95% of a community needs to be vaccinated to protect against an outbreak.