FSU Hit With Virus That Usually Affects Young Kids

At least a dozen cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 15, 2016 7:44 AM CDT
FSU Hit With Virus That Usually Affects Young Kids
Some FSU students may be staying inside for a while.   (Flickr)

A highly contagious disease that usually afflicts young children in daycare has infected a bunch of big kids instead at Florida State University. WCTV reports at least a dozen cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed at FSU, and a health warning was sent out to all students on Wednesday. Symptoms of the virus, which has no treatment, typically include fever, mouth sores, and a rash on the hands and feet, per the Mayo Clinic and the CDC.

Because some fraternity members were affected by the outbreak, Rush Week events were canceled Tuesday (they're expected to resume Thursday), per the Tallahassee Democrat, and university officials are telling students who've come down with the illness to stay holed up as much as they can so it doesn't spread. As for everyone else on campus: "Wash your hands often with soap and water," says the director of the university's Health and Wellness Center. (FSU students could really use some contagious smiles instead.)

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