That means there have been almost 80 cases of mumps in Tayside since January, compared to just three cases in the whole of 2003.

The uptake of the controversial MMR vaccination, which has been blamed for causing autism in children, continues to fall well short of targets, with just 88% of two-year-olds having been inoculated — well below the target figure of 95%.

The vaccination was introduced in 1988 leaving the majority of pre-teenagers protected. Those aged 25 and over are assumed to have developed natural immunity.

That leaves young people aged 13 to 25 as being the group most at risk of contracting mumps — a virus which is spread by normal social contact, particularly in educational settings — as they have not been inoculated nor developed natural immunity.

NHS Tayside consultant in public health medicine Dr Julie Cavanah said the region was experiencing an expected rise in cases of mumps among young people who do not have immunity to the disease.

“That’s why we are encouraging young people in Tayside to consider seeking MMR immunisation,” she said.

“There has been a slow but steady rise in the number of confirmed cases of infection locally since early spring.

“In these circumstances it’s appropriate to make people aware that there is an increased incidence of infection in the community and that people who do not have immunity may be at increased risk.

“Students aged between 17 and 20 who have not had mumps should consider contacting their GP to arrange MMR immunisation.

“GPs can offer advice, reassurance and MMR immunisation to patients as appropriate.”

Mumps can cause a great deal of discomfort and can lead to serious complications in a small number of cases.

Early signs of mumps include fever, loss of appetite, aches and headache followed by swelling of the glands under and in front of the ear, usually starting on one side before moving to the other.