Returning Ohio State students cautioned on mumps

Returning Ohio State students cautioned on mumps

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio State University students are being warned to take precautions against the mumps as they head back to classes.

University and public health officials are warning students, faculty and staff in emails, posters and social media to do their part to keep themselves and others healthy amid an outbreak of the disease. Twenty-one cases have been identified.

Students return from a break at one of the nation’s largest universities Monday.

Spokeswoman Liz Cook tells The Columbus Dispatch people are encouraged to use good hand hygiene and follow cough-and-sneeze etiquette in order to contain the outbreak.

Besides information on symptoms, treatment and the importance of staying isolated once sick, the university is handing out “get well” bags to sickened students and working with faculty and students to coordinate missed work.