Mumps Outbreak in Ohio Nearly Doubles: Officials Urge Residents to Get MMR Vaccine

What began as a few cases of the mumps on the Ohio State University campus has worsened over the past month and a half. The virus has spread to surrounding counties and now Columbus Public Health has documented a total of 212 cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by the mumps virus. Mumps typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, and is followed by swelling of salivary glands. Anyone who is not immune from either previous mumps infection or from vaccination can get mumps."

On March 17, health officials reported 23 confirmed cases at Ohio State University and 63 cases in nearby Franklin County, 45 of which were linked to the university outbreak. These numbers have steadily risen since then, with 116 cases documented in early April and 212 cases documented today. This outbreak is bizarre because the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine decreased the disease's prevalence by 99%.

As a result, state and local officials are urging residents to get vaccinated with the standard two doses of the MMR vaccine. College students are required to receive certain vaccines (if they haven't yet) before being admitted into (most) schools. For example, many universities require immunizations for the following diseases: Diptheria Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Vaccine, Measles-Mumps-Rubella, Polio, and TB. Click here to look at an official immunization form.

The Ohio State University immunization requirements list the MMR vaccine and all students are required to undergo a screening to make sure they don't need to be revaccinated for anything as well. The vaccines are essential because such rare diseases have an opportunity to thrive in the close living quarters of college students. In 2006, there was a multi-state outbreak of mumps with 6,600 reported cases, in which 80% of those infected were attending college.

All health officials can do at this point is hope that people get vaccinated, and those who are infected stay indoors, rest, and stay clean. Until then, Central Ohio could be facing a big problem with mumps.

To read more about the Ohio mumps outbreak, visit this Reuters news article.