News Summary
Akron Garfield High School has canceled its football game against Revere Local Schools due to hand, foot and mouth disease concerns. This decision followed reports of recent diagnoses within the Revere team, prompting Akron Public Schools to prioritize student health and prevent potential outbreaks. Officials emphasized the importance of safeguarding students and staff amid rising awareness of infectious diseases in school environments.
Akron High School Cancels Football Game Over Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Concerns
Akron, Ohio — Akron Garfield High School has canceled its upcoming football game scheduled for Friday night against Revere Local Schools due to concerns over hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). The decision was made to prevent potential health risks amid reports of recent diagnoses within the Revere team.
Details of the Cancellation
The cancellation was announced publicly by Revere Local Schools, who confirmed that two of their players had been diagnosed with HFMD over the past two weeks. Despite these diagnoses, the team was reportedly healthy and prepared to compete in the game before the decision was made to cancel as a preventive measure.
Akron Public Schools opted for this precautionary step because of the highly contagious nature of HFMD and the large size of the district, which serves over 19,000 students and employs thousands of staff members. The district’s leadership emphasized that protecting student health remains a top priority and that the cancellation was a proactive response to avoid any potential spread of the disease within the school community.
Official Statements on the Decision
Michelle Marquess-Kearns, executive director of school leadership for Akron, stated that the health and safety of students and staff are “non-negotiable.” She explained that the school district decided to cancel the game to prevent any possibility of HFMD transmission among athletes, students, and spectators.
Revere High School Principal Doug Faris publicly confirmed the cancellation. Meanwhile, Akron Garfield football coach Kemp Boyd noted that his team was ready to play prior to receiving health concerns from Revere. Boyd expressed that the decision prioritized students’ well-being and appreciated Revere’s transparency during the process. He also mentioned that the game will not be rescheduled.
In addition, Akron Public Schools has requested a no-contest ruling from the Ohio High School Athletic Association, indicating that the game will not count as a played contest in official standings.
Understanding Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
HFMD is a viral illness that primarily affects children under the age of five but can sometimes affect older children and adults. It is highly contagious and spreads through close contact, coughs, or contact with contaminated surfaces.
Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, painful mouth ulcers, and rashes on the hands and feet. The illness generally runs its course within seven to ten days, and individuals are most contagious during the first few days of symptoms.
While HFMD is usually mild, its contagiousness leads health officials to recommend precautions to prevent outbreaks, particularly in school environments where children gather closely.
Community Reactions and Other School Cancellations
The decision by Akron Garfield High School aligns with recent actions by other local schools. For example, Norton High School also canceled a football game after reports of HFMD among students. These proactive measures aim to prevent widespread outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.
However, some health experts and community members have voiced concerns about the cancellation, suggesting that these precautions may be overly cautious. Critics note that illnesses such as influenza and COVID-19 also pose health risks but are not prompting similar levels of disruption. Nonetheless, schools maintain that HFMD’s high contagiousness warrants caution.
Background Context
The recent wave of cancellations reflects heightened awareness about infectious illnesses in school settings. Although HFMD is common among young children, outbreaks can lead to temporary closures and cancellations of sports and other activities, especially during periods of increased cases.
The Akron school district’s swift action demonstrates a commitment to health safety amid an ongoing concern about communicable diseases in the community. Despite some criticism, officials emphasize that such decisions are designed to safeguard students and staff from avoidable health risks.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Revere High School Football Game Canceled Due to Health Issues
Additional Resources
- Fox 8 News
- Wikipedia: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
- Cleveland.com
- Google Search: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
- WKYC
- Google Scholar: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
- Cleveland 19 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
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