A very contagious viral infection is spreading in Upstate New York.
Known as the Coxsackie virus, it is often called the hand, foot and mouth disease. Symptoms are similar to the flu. They include fever, sore throat, lesions in the mouth, or skin rash on palms of the hands, soles of the feet, knees, elbows or buttocks.
Last month, most of the cases occurred at elementary or high schools. Now, there is an outbreak at Marist College in the Hudson Valley with 39 cases as of Wednesday, according to the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health.
Marist College | flickr
Marist College
Located in Poughkeepsie on the banks of the Hudson River, the campus community of Marist College has a total student population of about 6,657.
When did the Coxsackie virus start?
The first case was diagnosed on Aug. 27th and the most recent case was diagnosed on Oct. 9.
What precaution has the College taken?
Julia Fishman, director of media relations at Marist, said the College is working with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health to monitor the virus. They notified the campus community via email on Oct. 5, and the College has increased cleaning efforts, emphasizing touchable surfaces as a priority. Signage has been posted throughout campus.
If students are sick, do they get special consideration for missed exams or projects?
This is handled on a case by case basis. Health Services is providing students with notes in order to discourage students from going to class while ill. Dining services also offers programs for students to get meals while sick so a student doesn't have to leave their room.
Has the virus spread to nearby Vassar College (about 3 miles away)?
No, as of Wednesday.
"If there are indications that the outbreak is no longer contained to Marist College then we would consider sending a provider advisory or alert," said Andrew Sherman Evans Jr., Coordinator of Communicable Disease of Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health.
Photo courtesy of Bill DeVoe, communications specialist at Schalmont
Schalmont Central School District
Officials at the Schalmont school district canceled a pep rally and football game on Oct. 5, after three players contracted the Coxsackie virus at the high school and middle school.
The game has been rescheduled for Oct. 16.
Schalmont's public information specialist Bill DeVoe, said officials took steps to curtail the spread of the virus by sanitizing common areas and shared equipment.
Are there more students with the virus this week?
"We haven't had any new cases reported since, fingers crossed," said DeVoe.
Have the affected students returned to school?
The three football players have visited their doctors and school health officials have cleared them to play now, according to DeVoe.
DeVoe says teenagers need to improve their hygiene, especially with athletes. It's common for them to attend practice, come home, throw their gear in a pile, and put it back on the next day.
Recommendations for parents?
It's common this time of year to see Coxsackie virus, influenza, and mono, according to DeVoe.
"Just make sure kids are washing their hands," said DeVoe. "Personal hygiene goes a long way to stop the spreading of the Coxsackie virus. Make sure practiced jerseys and clothing are being laundered frequently."
Other Cases
Sept. 7 - Gloversville Enlarged School District postponed a varsity football game and a junior varsity game the following day. A football player and coach were diagnosed with the Coxsackie virus. On Sept. 19, the district confirmed one more case at Park Terrace Elementary School.
Sept. 18 - Superintendent Thomas Ciaccio of the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District sent a letter to parents regarding high school students with confirmed cases of a "common skin infection." Although there were no confirmed cases of Coxsackie virus, the district took precautionary measures to contain the infection.
Sept. 19 - Broadalbin-Perth Central School District advised parents of three confirmed cases of Coxsackie virus within the district's schools.
Sept. 20 - Greater Amsterdam School District sent a letter to parents about several football players on both the varsity and the junior varsity teams with the Coxsackie virus.
All activities, games and practices were canceled for the day. Staff members thoroughly cleaned and disinfected equipment and facilities. A game between Broadalbin-Perth scheduled the following day was postponed.
Sept. 21 - The Cohoes City School District told families about four confirmed cases of Coxsackie virus at Abram Lansing Elementary School.
Jan Somma-Hammel | Staten Island Advance
Proper Handwashing
There is currently no vaccine in the United States to protect against the Coxsackie virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control. You can lower your risk of being infected by doing the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers and using the toilet. Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys.
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Also known as hand, foot, and mouth disease, this common viral illness usually affects infants and children younger than 5 years old. However, it can occur in older children and adults.
What are the symptoms?
It starts with a fever, poor appetite, runny nose, sore throat, and blister-like rash on the hands, feet or in the mouth.
How does it spread?
The virus is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges (sneezing or coughing), blisters and feces of infected people.
What is the treatment?
There is no specific treatment. Take over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever. Drink plenty of liquids.
New York Yankees starting pitcher J.A. Happ throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2018, in New York. (Seth Wenig | AP Photo)
Athletes
It can happen to anyone.
In July, the New York Yankees' left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ was diagnosed with a case of hand, foot and mouth disease. General manager Brian Cashman said that he might have picked it up on his flight to New York after being traded to the team.
In the same month, the New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard also contracted the virus. His team said he probably got it from working at a camp for kids during the All-Star break.
File photo of Centennial Hall, a new dorm at SUNY ESF. (David Lassman | The Post-Standard)
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