The epidemiologic and genetic characteristics of mumps viruses detected in China from 1995 to 2010
were analyzed in this study. Mumps remains endemic in China with a high overall incidence rate. The
incidence of mumps in Western China was higher than that in other regions of the country. Each year,
most of mumps cases occurred between April and July, but a small peak also occurred in November
and December. Mumps cases primarily affected the under 15 year old age group. Virologic data demonstrated
that genotype F was the predominant circulating genotype throughout China for at least 15 years
and no other genotype was detected between 1995 and 2010. Analysis of sequence data from the small
hydrophobic (SH) gene indicated that multiple transmission chains of genotype F were found in various
provinces of China, with no apparent chronologic and geographic restriction. This is the first report
describing the epidemiology of mumps and genetic characterization of mumps viruses at the national
level in China.