MORE than 400 students from University College Winchester have been given the controversial MMR vaccination following an outbreak of mumps at the campus.

The news comes as the number of confirmed cases of the viral infection rises to 24 - twice the number it was at the start of the year when the problems first emerged.

However, despite the rise medical staff at the college believe the worst to be over with the number of new cases tailing off during the last week.

The mumps outbreak came to light after the Christmas holidays when students at the college started complaining to the campus nurse of mumps-like symptoms.

These included swollen saliva glands, a fever and loss of appetite.

Test were undertaken on saliva samples from those suspected as having the mumps virus, and patients were sent home while the results were waited on.

Meanwhile, other students at the college were offered a mumps, measles and rubella vaccination at specialist clinics set up by the college.

The jab, which combines immunisation against the three illnesses in one injection, sparked controversy after it was linked to incidence of autism in children.

The rumours led to a record downturn in the number of parents putting their children up for the jab, with just 85 per cent getting their youngsters immunised in July 2001 - compared to government recommendations that to eradicate the illnesses at least 95 per cent needed treatment.

However, last March ten of the 13 scientists who originally made the link between the jab and autism retracted their comments after data used to make the link was found to be unsafe.

A spokesman for the college confirmed that so far more than 400 students have taken up the offer of free vaccination, with two more clinics to go later this week.

She added: "Students have been able to get free vaccinations against mumps and anyone suspected of having the virus has been sent home.

"However, in the last few days our college nurse says the number of new cases presenting has dropped off, so it would seem like the worst is now over."

A spokesman for the student union said he thought the college had handled the situation calmly and professionally and that students had got the support and advice they needed.