Mumps disease and vaccination in Africa: A scoping review

Abstract

Mumps, though often self-limiting, can cause serious complications such as meningitis, orchitis, infertility, deafness, and seizures. Despite rising cases in Africa, most countries do not vaccinate against mumps. This review compiled available evidence on mumps in Africa, focusing on morbidity, mortality, vaccine safety, transmission, and molecular characterization. A systematic search across major databases identified 22 relevant studies published between 1994 and 2024. Nearly half of the studies (45%; n = 10/22) were published in the most recent period (2018-2024), indicating increased research interest in recent years. Of the 22 included articles, 37% examined seroprevalence and incidence, 21% transmission and seroprevalence factors, 17% vaccine safety, 17% vaccination in HIV-positive individuals, and 8% molecular data. Reported seroprevalence ranged from 5 to 88.8% in children and exceeded 90% in adults. The MMR vaccine is generally safe but should be used cautiously in those immunocompromised or have allergic reactions to gelatin. Evidence of antibody loss after HAART in HIV-positive children supports re-vaccination. High seroprevalence without immunization suggests widespread natural infection. It is possible that mumps complications are underreported and under-investigated because of the presumed self-limiting nature of mumps infection. This underscores the need to include mumps vaccination in African immunization programs.