Outbreak of coxsackie at NJ high school cancels football game

PEQUANNOCK — An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease has forced a Morris County high school to postpone its season-opening football game.

District officials say three Pequannock High School players became ill in late August.

The school's fields and locker rooms were sanitized Aug. 31 and again Friday. But officials learned last weekend that five more players had the illness and three others were showing symptoms.

Coxsackie, also known as Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, can cause fever, sore throat, and sores/rash. (Photos: Dan Zarrow, Townsquare Media)

Hand, foot and mouth disease often causes painful sores inside the mouth and a skin rash on the hands or feet. It can spread through close personal contact and through coughing or sneezing.

New Jersey 101.5 Meteorologist Dan Zarrow this summer got an unfortunate first-hand experience with the virus, also known as coxsackie. He shared what he learned last month in this post: Coxsackie: What to know about the virus that gave Dan Zarrow painful sores and blisters.

District officials say a school doctor recommended that this week's practices be canceled and that Friday night's game against Boonton be postponed. The game has been tentatively re-scheduled for Nov. 18.

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Filed Under: coxsackie, outbreaks, Pequannock, Pequannock High School

Categories: Health & Wellness, New Jersey News