Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Outbreak Sickens Nearly 200 in Tennessee Community

The first cases were reported at the end of August, but the county health department wasn’t notified until early September.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Outbreak Sickens Nearly 200 in Tennessee Community
The campus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, on June 25, 2025. AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File
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Health officials in Shelby County, Tennessee, warned the public this week about an ongoing outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) affecting 31 schools, three child care centers, and at least 178 students and staff.
The viral disease is extremely contagious but is not usually serious. Older children and adults can also become infected, but it is most common among young children aged 5 and under, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
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Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.