Ohio Mumps Outbreak: New "Disturbing Development"

Health officials have confirmed that the state of the Ohio University mumps outbreak has taken a turn for the worse, with new cases of the infection no longer being isolated to the college.

Ohio health officials have identified sixteen new cases of mumps since Friday, bringing the new tally of infected people up to 56. As of Friday, the 40 reported cases of mumps virus infection all had ties to Ohio State University, with 37 or those people being either students of staff of the college.

Officials had expressed reserved confidence on Friday that the mumps outbreak has remained largely isolated to the Ohio State University thanks to speedy diagnosis and treatment of the infected, but new reports have shattered those hopes.

 Columbus officials reported Monday that of the 16 additional mumps infections diagnosed over the weekend, absolutely none have reported having any immediate connection the university.

Jose Rodriguez of the Columbus health department called this most recent turn of events a "disturbing development" as it would mean the outbreak is no longer isolated.

Without a common denominator linking those potentially exposed to the virus, containing the outbreak will likely now prove much harder.

Prior to this development, health officials had been contacting people with ties to Ohio State University in an effort to map and predict the spread of the virus.

The mumps virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, meaning it easily spreads in confined and highly populated areas. While a great majority of U.S. citizens have been immunized with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, officials have previously stated that the mumps part of the vaccine is only 80 to 90 percent effective at preventing infection, meaning that anyone exposed to the virus is at risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a mumps infection can be difficult to track as it can take up to two weeks before it begins to exhibit symptoms, which initially present themselves much like the common cold.

Ohio State University has recently released a guide to help students prevent the chance of spreading this potentially dangerous infection.