2014: Mumps spreads across central Ohio

In early 2014, due to a combination of lax vaccination and boosters among the general public and religious prohibition within the Amish and Mennonite to the east, west and north of Central Ohio, the highly infectious virus that causes mumps reemerged in Ohio. Communities such as the northern Columbus exurb of Delaware County were affected, with cases appearing both on the campus of Wesleyan University in the City of Delaware and in the various school systems in Delaware County. Vaccination efforts were undertaken at the local health department, while the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC were mobilized for support and case tracking and tracing efforts. The Delaware Gazette attempted in-house near-daily coverage – something it previously would have left to wire services ­– with a local angle.