Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in New Jersey 2026 by Coxsackievirus. The NJ Department of Health tracked a massive spike, recording 127 reported outbreaks between May and August 2026 in New Jersey. There is no accurate or exact number of cases as of this writing, but estimates are already obvious. It is thousands!

According to Infection Control Today, if New Jersey follows that national trend of roughly 221.8 medically-attended cases per 100,000 people, the state could mathematically see anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 symptomatic individuals!

The numbers may grow due to the fall season in New Jersey!

But first of all, what is HFMD? How the virus (Coxsackievirus) that causes it related to enteroviruses? How to treat it and what are the signs or symptoms on kids, teens, and adults in New Jersey? Is there an outbreak?

Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in New Jersey 2026 by Coxsackievirus

HFMD in New Jersey is a mild illness that typically triggers a sudden fever, a sore throat, and a distinct rash of painful blisters inside the mouth and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an illness caused by a virus and is more common in summer and early fall. This illness is usually mild. HFMD is seen more often in children under age five.

For your information, the Coxsackievirus is the leading cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and herpangina, commonly affecting infants and children under the age of five, though anyone can contract them! It belongs to a family of germs known as enteroviruses.

If you are looking for exact number of cases in New Jersey – there is none because NJDOJ believes it’s not reportable!

“Single cases of HFMD are not reportable in New Jersey. However, confirmed or suspect outbreaks of any communicable disease are immediately reportable to the local health department…”

What is Coxsackievirus

If you are bothered or curious where the name came from- it is literally from a place in New York City!

The word Coxsackievirus is named after Coxsackie, New York, a small, historic town located along the Hudson River. The virus is named Coxsackievirus simply because of the medical tradition of naming a newly discovered pathogen after the physical location where it was first found.

Vaccines for Coxsackievirus

There is no vaccine yet for this – only candidates as of this writing!

TIPS AND WARNINGS:

• Never be complacent even if Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in New Jersey are mild and not reportable! It can still cause complications when not treated immediately!
• There is no vaccine yet for this – only candidates as of this writing!