Seven schools in four counties have now reported the virus, which has swept across New Jersey and plagued sports programs.
Vernon High School has postponed Saturday’s varsity football game against Sparta High after one of its players came down with a confirmed case of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, marking the latest outbreak in a virus plaguing New Jersey high school sports programs this summer and fall.
The disease also has been found in athletes at Don Bosco Prep, Pequannock High, Kinnelon High and Hunterdon Central High, High Point High and Wallkill Valley High. All total so far, seven New Jersey high schools in four counties have reported cases of HFMD in their athletes.
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Vernon athletic director Bill Edelman said only one football player at his school has a confirmed case of HFMD, but others on the team are showing symptoms of the virus.
“We are erring on the side of caution, but we felt it was the right decision to make in discussing it with our school doctor and not wanting to put other schools in jeopardy,” Edelman said. “We felt that although it was a difficult decision, it was the best decision to be made.”
Vernon and Sparta have not yet determined a date to reschedule the game.
HFMD causes painful sores inside the mouth as well as a skin rash on a person’s hands or feet, and it can also lead to high fevers and body aches, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus can be spread through contact or the air from coughing or sneezing, and it’s most commonly diagnosed in younger children.
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Although the virus can cause significant discomfort, it doesn’t pose serious risks if properly treated with rest, fluids and Tylenol, according to doctors. Typically, the illness subsides in one to two weeks.
Edelman said the football program is shut down until Wednesday, adding the locker room, playing equipment and article turf at the school will be cleaned and disinfected over the weekend.
He said the decision to move the game was made in the best interests of Vernon’s opponent.
“I’d rather err on this side of caution than be responsible for infecting a Sparta team that probably has potential to go very far in the state playoffs,” Edelman said.
Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. Find NJ.com on Facebook.