Hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak hits Johns Hopkins

At least 129 people have been sickened by hand, foot and mouth disease at one of Johns Hopkins University’s four Baltimore campuses. The Maryland Department of Health has officially classified it as an outbreak.

University officials have been aggressively warning students and faculty about the highly contagious disease, which has no specific treatment. The spread of the disease can be prevented through hand washing and other efforts.

The disease is caused by a group of viruses also responsible for polio. People who contract it can develop fever, sore throat, rash on the feet and palms of the hand, and sores in the mouth and throat. Some people can show no symptoms, but can still spread the disease.

People can contract the disease from close contact with someone who is infected, such as hugging, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It can also be spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes; by contact with feces, such as changing diapers; and contact with contaminated objects and surfaces, like touching a doorknob.

University officials have been warning people on campus about the outbreak, including posting lawn signs on the major quads on campus and displaying flyers around campus last week, spokesman Dennis O’Shea said in an email.

They have also sent out two broadcast messages and put information on the university’s online news site.

Facilities has been doing extra cleaning in affected areas, such as resident halls.