HOLMDEL — Another case of hand, foot and mouth disease has led a Jersey Shore high school game to be postponed.

Friday's matchup between the Holmdel Hornets and Red Bank Buccaneers at Red Bank Regional High School has been postponed after an outbreak of the viral illness, which is caused by the coxsackie virus.

Superintendent Robert McGarry told the Asbury Park Press "less than five" players have been diagnosed with the illness, which commonly occurs in the summer and late fall according to the Centers for Disease Control. It is most contagious in its early stages.

"He (the school physician) discussed with us that is the incubation period for the virus so we're not spreading it to other schools,'' McGarry said.

A make up date has not yet been determined.

It's the first Shore Conference football game to be affected by coxsackie and the eighth across the state. Games involving Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Pequannock High School, Kinnelon and Whippany have also been postponed following outbreaks.

New Jersey 101.5's own meteorologist Dan Zarrow had a painful case of it earlier this summer.

HFMD, which is most common in infants and young children but can occur in teens and adults usually develops in three to five days, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Symptoms include a fever, reduced appetite, sore throat and malaise. Adults, however, may not show any symptoms according to the CDC.

The CDC said it can be spread by close personal contact and through coughing or sneezing.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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