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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 1999 May 1;90(3):160–163. doi: 10.1007/BF03404498

An Outbreak of Mumps Among Young Adults in Vancouver, British Columbia, Associated with ‘Rave’ Parties

Jane Buxton 14,, Carole Craig 24, Patricia Daly 34, Mark Bigham 44, Alison Bell 44, Murray Fyfe 44
PMCID: PMC6979915  PMID: 10401164

Abstract

In early 1997 an unexpectedly high number of cases of mumps was reported In Vancouver, British Columbia. Methods: A case control study was conducted to address four objectives: 1) Describe the outbreak and the population at risk, 2) examine the impact of mumps on this population, 3) identify personal risk factors for infection, and 4) test the hypothesis that social gatherings, ‘rave’ parties in particular, were a risk factor in this outbreak. Results: Mumps infection was associated with: attending a rave party [OR = 17; 95% CI: 2.7–710], residing in Vancouver [OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.4–10], and contact with a person with mumps [OR = 13; 95% CI: 2–552], during the ‘exposure’ period. Vaccine effectiveness, ascertained by self-reported immunization status, was 80% [95% CI: 29%–96%], Conclusions: Attendance at rave parties was associated with mumps infection during this outbreak. Many persons aged 17–40 may remain susceptible to mumps; in BC these persons are eligible for one dose of MMR and should be encouraged to be vaccinated.

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