COLUMBUS, Ohio – Health officials say a mumps outbreak that began at OSU in January has now spread to more than 250 people, more than half of the nation’s 438 reported cases last year.
The total as of Monday was 253 cases of the contagious viral illness, with 153 of those linked to Ohio State University. That includes 109 students and 17 staff members.
The Delaware General Health District announced on Friday that it was aware of a cluster of suspected cases in one school building in the county and recommended that unvaccinated students from the school be kept home for at least 25 days, the gestation period of the illness, or until they are fully immunized with two doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.
The school was not identified but the Olentangy Local School District confirmed on March 27 that cases were suspected cases of mumps were identified at Liberty Tree and Scioto Ridge elementary schools, Liberty and Shanahan middle schools and Olentangy and Liberty high schools.
Local health agencies say those infected range in age from 9 months to 80 years old. The cases span from early January to last week.
Mumps often starts with fever, fatigue and body aches. Those infected are urged to stay home, cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and frequently wash their hands.
Officials say local cases have included inflammation of the testicles and ovaries, deafness and hospitalizations.