Aug. 23--The Norwin School District is taking measures to prevent the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease after two football players contracted the virus, school officials said Monday.
The school district is taking steps to reduce the risk of the virus being spread to their teammates and other athletes, according to a statement released by administrators yesterday afternoon.
District officials, who were notified by the students' parents yesterday, aren't sure how or when the football players contracted the virus.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness of infants and children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is contagious and passed by person-to-person contact.
The disease causes fever and blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash. It is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep and swine. The two are not related and are caused by different viruses. Humans do not get the animal disease.
"Norwin custodial crews have been directed to provide additional cleaning and disinfecting of the Norwin field house and locker rooms," school officials said. "In a close contact sport like football, the spread of a virus is very difficult to avoid. Because of that, everyone involved (trainers, equipment managers, players and coaches) is being informed about this development.
"The district's athletic trainers are being proactive in educating student athletes about the importance of hand-washing, not sharing water bottles and not sharing towels," officials said.
Randy Rovesti, Norwin's director of student activities and transportation, in consultation with school physician Dan Medic, said hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that has to run its course, and it is no worse than having a cold.
Students who are contagious with the disease are not permitted to return to practice until they are given a release by their primary care physician. The infection is most contagious during the first week of the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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