There has been a recent increase in diseases like mumps and measles in Ireland.

An outbreak of mumps has occurred at both Trinity College and Blackrock College in Dublin. It's thought to be related to the MMR vaccine scare in the 1990s, caused by now discredited doctor Andrew Wakefield, who claimed that there were links between the vaccine and autism.

Mumps is a predominantly childhood illness, characterised by fever, aches and pains and swollen glands.

It can have serious complications, with one in 1,000 people developing meningitis, and in some cases it can be fatal.

As mumps is highly infectious, the main way of preventing the spread is by vaccination.

Dr Ray Walley joined us for his weekly medical slot to discuss the dangers of diseases like mumps and measles, and the importance of having children vaccinated.