Mumps outbreak reaches beyond Columbus

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Health officials monitoring a central Ohio mumps outbreak say the viral illness has affected people from five counties.

Seventy of the 87 confirmed cases reported are linked to Ohio State University.

Those infected range in age from 4 to 58. The cases span from January to this week.

Most of those infected are from Columbus. A few are from elsewhere in surrounding Franklin County. Individual cases were reported in Fairfield, Hamilton, Licking and Union counties. Delaware County says it is investigating six suspected cases.

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.