At least 69 people in Franklin County, Ohio have come down with the mumps, a viral disease leading to swollen salivary glands, headaches and fever.
Columbus health officials said Tuesday that the disease had spread beyond The Ohio State University's campus in Columbus to other parts of the area, though most victims still had connections to the school.
Of the 69 cases, 52 people were closely related to the university. Officials also said that most of the university cases occurred in people ages 18 to 48, though someone as young as 4 years old was affected outside the university.
In a statement, Columbus Pubic Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long encouraged people to get vaccinated.
“Mumps can lead to serious complications in people who are not vaccinated, especially adults. If you have not been vaccinated against the mumps, or do not remember if you have received the protective vaccine, get vaccinated as soon as possible."
Officials also asked residents to wash their hands and stay home if they feel sick. Most of the victims had been vaccinated against the disease, but vaccinations are only 80 to 90 percent effective. So it's still possible to come down with mumps.
[10TV, CNN]
