WVMX

Mumps outbreak widens

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In the face of a widening mumps outbreak, the state Department of Health is urging Ohioans to make sure they’re properly vaccinated.

With 10 possible cases, Delaware County has been included in the community-wide outbreak that has sickened over 100 people since January. Health officials for Columbus and Franklin County say 119 cases of the viral illness have been confirmed, with 95 of those linked to Ohio State University.

“Immunization is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said state Epidemiologist Dr. Mary DiOrio.

The agency says anyone who has not gotten any doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine or only one dose is considered to be at high risk of getting mumps.

The Columbus Public Health website says, of the 95 cases linked to OSU, 76 are students, nine are staff members, one is a family member of a student and nine others are members of a community with a link to the university. The cases affect patients ranging in age from 18 to 58 but have not resulted in any hospitalizations.

The 24 patients in Columbus and Franklin County are between two and 55 years of age and four of them have been hospitalized. Sixty-six of the cases involve woken or girls and 53 involve male patients.

The Delaware County patients are between 11 and 47 years old and have been classified as “possible” because they display symptoms and live in the outbreak area but there has been no laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, said Traci Whittaker, public information officer for the Delaware General Health District.

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.