DOCTORS have confirmed that mumps has broken out at a large North-East secondary school.

One out of ten suspected cases of mumps has tested positive after doctors visited Carmel Technology College, in Darlington, to take samples.

Efforts are now being made to stop the virus in its tracks by immunising children and teachers at the school.

Public health officials and GPs across the North-East have been put on alert and asked to watch out for more suspected cases.

Any outbreak of mumps gives rise to concern because of the recent drop in the proportion of children being immunised with the MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) triple vaccine.

Yesterday, a team of nurses and doctors visited the school to administer more than 100 precautionary doses of MMR triple vaccine to fifth and sixth formers, and staff.

"We hope this will prevent the virus from spreading," said Andrea Jones, of Darlington Primary Care Trust.

This is only the second confirmed case of mumps in the town since 1999.

Last month, more than 560 students had the MMR jab at the town's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College after one confirmed case of mumps and another 11 suspected cases.

Teenagers at both colleges were given the jab because they may have missed out when they were toddlers and MMR was first being introduced in 1988.

Symptoms include high temperature, headaches and swelling in the saliva glands in front of the ears. Mumps can cause swelling of the testicles or ovaries, deafness, meningitis and inflammation of the brain and pancreas.

Like many viruses, the risk of infection can be reduced by covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, washing hands regularly and disposing of tissues sensibly.

If people have any queries about the virus they are asked to contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.