After reporting on the first mumps cases at the Ohio State University in early March, seven months and hundreds of cases later, the outbreak of the contagious viral disease has been declared over.
According to Columbus Public Health, the community mumps outbreak has been resolved with less than one case per week sustained over seven consecutive weeks (Aug. 3-Sept. 20, 2014). During this time, only three cases of mumps with onset of illness were reported. The most recent central Ohio mumps case was reported on September 2.
“We are pleased that the central Ohio mumps outbreak has been resolved, but it’s important to remember that a new outbreak can occur at any time and without warning,” says Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long. “Now is the time to make sure all immunizations are up-to-date and you and your loved ones have received two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine so you are protected.”
In all, 484 mumps cases were reported in the central Ohio outbreak – exceeding the total number of cases (438) reported in the United States during 2013.
The number of mumps cases in central Ohio also represented the highest incidence in Columbus, Delaware, Franklin, and Madison counties combined since 1979 when 930 cases were reported.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from January 1 to August 15, 2014, 965 people in the United States have been reported to have mumps.
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