However, careful studies using monoclonal antibodies have demonstrated a variety of antigenic differences. It seems, though, that the differences between strains are slight and that immunity induced by one strain provides protection against the others. The mumps virus is stable for several days at 4 C but is easily destroyed by heat, ultraviolet light, ether and formalin. It survives freeze-drying. Source and transmission Humans are the only known natural hosts for the mumps virus, which is highly contagious.
Infection is spread via the respiratory.
The virus is secreted into the mouth and throat from the salivary glands and can be detected in respiratory secretions before the onset of parotid swelling. Infection probably spreads to the oropharynx of a new host by droplet infection with salivary secretions or by direct contact. Despite being spread in the same manner as measles, mumps is less communicable than measles. Mumps can be transmitted from one person to another from 3 days before the onset of swelling of the parotid gland for up to a week afterwards. How mumps develops Following transmission in respiratory droplets, the mumps virus initially multiplies in the lining of the respiratory tract and in the cervical lymph nodes.