The number of mumps cases reported in Central Ohio has reached 404 cases as of today, according to a Columbus Public Health (CPH) press release Monday. 220 of the vases are linked to the Ohio State University outbreak that began in early March.

Image/Columbus Public Health Facebook page
Image/Columbus Public Health Facebook page

How bad is the mumps outbreak in Ohio? CPH officials say that last year, there were 438 cases recorded nationwide.

Although mumps is typically a mild infection, there are complications that are possible with the viral infection. CPH reports that 13 people required hospitalization fro their illness, a dozen males suffered with orchitis while four women have faced oophoritis. One patient has suffered either partial or complete hearing loss.

The Buckeye State measles outbreak, which began in April, has topped 200 cases standing at 206 cases and seven hospitalizations. Knox County, the epicenter of the outbreak, accounts for 128 of the cases (62%).

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported receiving reports of 288 cases nationally, the most seen in the US in 20 years. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page.

Both the Ohio outbreak and several measles clusters reported nationally got their origins in travelers returning from the Philippines. The southeast Asian country has reported in excess of 40,000 cases during the first quater of 2014. The CDC has issued several travel notices for people traveling to the Philippines, the latest one last week.