COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Health officials tracking a mumps outbreak in central Ohio say the total number of confirmed cases in Franklin and Delaware counties is up to 153, most of them linked to Ohio State University.
Those infected by the viral illness range in age from 9 months to 69 years, according to local health officials. They include 78 Ohio State students and nine staff members.
The cases span from early January through late last week.
State and local health officials are urging residents to make sure they’re properly vaccinated with two doses of measles-mumps-rubella, known as MMR.
Mumps often starts with fever, fatigue and body aches. Those infected are urged to stay home for a few days, cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and frequently wash their hands.