Doctors across Neath and Port Talbot are being put on alert for a possible outbreak of mumps. Health chiefs also fear there will be an upsurge in measles and rubella cases because of the continually low uptake of the MMR triple jab.

Dozens of suspected cases of mumps have been reported and at least three are believed to have been confirmed.

Now Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board has circulated GPs across the area with the warning that outbreaks are possible.

Board medical director Bryn John, a Briton Ferry GP, said his practice had dealt with two cases of mumps and he had been told of three others.

"There does seem to be an increase in the number of cases we are seeing. GPs are being alerted that there is an increase," he told a health board meeting.

"I expect we will also see more measles and rubella cases."

Dr John said there was concern at the fall in the number of children being given the MMR vaccine. In the Neath Port Talbot area the uptake rate had dropped below 65 per cent.

Chief executive Katie Norton said it was recommended that children should be immunised from 12 months and again at three and five years of age.

She said: "Information has confirmed that from January 2003 there have been 39 requests for testing kits for the investigation of clinical measles, mumps and rubella in Neath Port Talbot.

"There have been three confirmed cases of mumps but no confirmed cases of measles or rubella."

She said there had been an increase in the prevalence of mumps among teenagers.

"This age group has only been offered a single dose of MMR and the current increase in mumps underlines the importance of all children receiving two doses of MMR in the pre-school period."