Central Ohio health officials stated this week that the number of reported mumps cases has risen to 225.

Most of the people who reported suffering from the mumps were connected to Ohio State University in some capacity, USA Today reported. According to director of the Department of Clinical Epidemiology for the OSU Health System Julie Mangino, about 139, or 62 percent of the cases have come from the University's campus.

Mangino, who is also a member of OSU's Mumps Advisory Executive Team, said about 10 students first came forward with reports of illnesses in late February.

"Normally in Franklin County, where the OSU Wexner Medical Center and the university are located, we have one case of mumps a year," Mangino said. "So this is very unusual."

The most recent reported case came just three days ago, on April 14.

"I am concerned that we may not be at a plateau yet," Mangino stated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are usually a few hundred cases reported nationwide.

This particular outbreak, which has mostly occurred in Columbus and other areas of central Ohio, has largely affected females - 62 percent, or 140 cases, have been reported by women. The infected range from 9 months to 70 years old, USA Today reported. Some have been hospitalized, while others have recovered without serious medical assistance within the span of about five days.

Public health authorities in Ohio warned the parents of unvaccinated children against sending their kids to school this week. Dr. Teresa Long and Susan Tilgner released official statements to school authorities to give to the parents of children who haven't been vaccinated against mumps, the Columbus Dispatch reported. The letters reportedly instructed parents to keep kids at home if they weren't fully immunized. Some might even have to stay off school grounds for the next 25 days, in the instance that the illness shows up on campus.

"Immunization is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from vaccine-preventable diseases," epidemiologist Mary DiOrio of the Ohio Department of Health wrote in a statement. "In addition, to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as mumps, wash your hands often, cover your cough and stay home when you are ill."