It seems therefore that the epidemiology of rubella is more sensitive to differences in mixing patterns than mumps and measles.
Analysis suggests that the pre-vaccination patterns of measles and mumps infection in the different countries were similar.
Our surveillance data do not seem to be sensitive enough to detect mumps outbreaks within this relatively small population, especially as many infections remain subclinical.
Therefore, it is uncertain whether mumps infections still take place within these groups at the moment.
Thus, in between introduction of vaccination and serum collection in our study, mumps infections must have occurred in these religious groups.
Age-standardized prevalence of measles, mumps and rubella virus antibodies was found to be 96.58, 75.40 and 95.69 % respectively.
Surveillance for mumps and rubella criteria for the timing and interpretation of testing to ensure results are accurate.
Analysis of within- and between-age-group transmission rates suggested that mumps transmission tends to be more concentrated within young children than the other two viruses.
