West Virginia postpones football Fan Day after outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease

West Virginia had to postpone its annual football Fan Day set for Sunday due to an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease within the team. (West Virginia photo)

West Virginia on Saturday postponed its annual football Fan Day after an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease within the program.

According to information released by the school, five cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been identified within the Mountaineers' team. It was not immediately clear if those infected included players, coaches or other football personnel.

The Fan Day event had been set for Sunday, but has now been postponed to a yet-to-be-determined future date.

"I know fans who were planning on attending Fan Day will be disappointed, but this is in the best interest of all involved," West Virginia athletics director Shane Lyons said. "Our medical staff is doing an excellent job of addressing the matter. However, there is no reason to put the general public at risk."

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a generally mild but highly contagious disease typically spread by contact with small children and results in sores on hands, feet and around and inside the mouth. There is no known cure, but symptoms usually subside within a week.

This is not the first case of hand, foot and mouth disease to make headlines in the sports world this year. Recently, New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard and New York Yankees pitcher J.A. Happ both spent time on the disabled list after being diagnosed with the disease.

West Virginia opens the 2018 season on Sept. 1 against Tennessee in Charlotte.

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