48 university students hit by mumps

A mumps outbreak has struck down almost 50 university students.

In total, 48 undergraduates at Reading University are said to have picked up the virus, which can lead to infertility in men.

The epidemic started in January, since when student union officials have been offering help to all of its 14,000 students.

Welfare vice-president Sarah Roberts said 18 to 25-year-olds were the most likely to be affected, as they were too old to have been vaccinated by the MMR jab.

Spokesman Craig Hillsley added: "We have sought advice from the Health Protection Agency and they have not recommended a mass immunisation campaign at this stage."