Fayette County School Corporation Issues Health Notice Following Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Cases at Little Spartans Preschool

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2, 2026

Fayette County School Corporation Issues Health Notice Following Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Cases at Little Spartans Preschool

CONNERSVILLE, Ind. — The Fayette County School Corporation has issued an informational advisory to families after confirming multiple cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) at Little Spartans Preschool.

Superintendent Jeremy Duncan notified preschool families on Wednesday, stating that custodial and instructional staff have increased cleaning and disinfection protocols across all high-touch surfaces and classroom areas to mitigate further spread.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a common, contagious viral illness primarily affecting children under the age of 5, though older children and adults can also contract the virus. Transmission occurs through close personal contact, respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, contact with infected stool, and touching contaminated surfaces.

The district and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise parents and caregivers to monitor young children for the following common symptoms:

Fever
Sore throat
Reduced appetite
General feeling of being unwell
Painful sores inside the mouth
Skin rash on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and occasionally the legs or buttocks

While not every child displays all symptoms, health officials emphasize that the combination of oral sores and a skin rash serves as a strong clinical indicator.

Under CDC and district guidelines, children diagnosed with HFMD may return to school once they meet all three criteria:

Fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Active lesions have begun healing.
The child feels well enough to participate fully in classroom activities.

The virus is most contagious during the first week of illness. School officials encourage families to practice diligent preventative measures at home, including regular handwashing, frequent surface sanitization, and avoiding the sharing of cups, food, or eating utensils.

Families with health concerns or questions regarding symptoms are urged to contact their healthcare provider. Additional questions regarding district health protocols may be directed to the Little Spartans Preschool office or the school nurse at 765-825-2178.

Contact:

Fayette County School Corporation

1401 Spartan Drive, Connersville, IN 47331

Phone: 765-825-2178 | Fax: 765-825-8060

Website: http://www.fayette.k12.in.us