This year pediatricians are seeing a higher than usual number of patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection most commonly seen in young children. In the US, cases typically rise in late summer/early fall. In 2025, health departments in mid-Atlantic states including New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia have recorded a bigger spike in cases than in recent years.
Hand, food and mouth disease normally causes mild illness which resolves on its own. Symptoms include blisters or sores in the mouth and rashes on the feet and hands. The virus can spread in three main ways: 1) direct contact with people, 2) touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, and 3) through respiratory droplets when people sneeze or cough.
Full Story: The New York Times
