Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease. Since the introduction of the mumps virus vaccine in 1967 there has been a decrease in the incidence of this disease.
Mumps is caused by a paramyxovirus.
The infection is seen worldwide and affects both sexes equally. Mumps remains endemic throughout most of the world. Epidemics occur during all seasons, but are more frequent in late winter and spring. Its occurrence appears to be primarily related to lack of immunization rather than waning of immunity. Humans are the only known natural host of the mumps virus.