Summary: Florida State University has recognized about 16 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in only the past week. It is not uncommon for this virus, which mainly infects children, to be found on college campuses. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a virus found in the intestines and causes red blisters around the mouth. Some believe the outbreak could be linked to the recent hurricane. Germs are attracted to "hot, humid conditions". The virus is more contagious before any symptoms even begin. The university has taken many precautions to try and stop the spreading of the disease, such as cancelling events, cleaning "shared spaces" and exam rooms.
Analysis: Anytime any outbreak occurs it's always scary. Especially if it deals with small children. I was very surprised to learn that these outbreaks are pretty common in college environments. I understand them occurring in daycares, but not so much colleges. It's hard to remember that many college students have children of their own. I am relating this outbreak to the Great Plague which killed over 60% of the European population beginning in 1334. No one has died from the outbreak in Florida, but it is still very rare for so many people to be infected at one time. In the past there have been many outbreaks, one of the worst, the Great Plague. Some believe outbreaks are the Earth's way of decreasing the population. Other ways would include tsunamis, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and volcanic eruptions. I am extremely grateful for our advances in medicine so that we can try and prevent these outbreaks as much as possible.
Sources: http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/15/health/hand-foot-and-mouth-outbreak-florida-state/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/plague/history/index.html
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