[Guest]

Can you offer any insight on the potential to spread plantar warts via the floor of a dance studio? I am the owner of a studio and have taught dance for many years and never had a problem w/ plantar warts. Recently several of my dancers have popped up w/ these warts. In our modern dance classes the dancers do dance in barefeet, however, the floor is not wet and the dancers wear shoes to dressing areas and BR. We have no shower facilities of any kind. The parents are concerned and seem to feel they have gotten the warts from the studio floor. Modern dance has always been a barefoot technique, and we have several classes of 3& 4 years old who also dance barefoot and we have not had any problems w/ this age group. I want to be able to give my families accurate info. and do whatever I can to alleviate fear and prevent further cases. One family acknowledged that their child got the warts from an older sibling at home. We have about five dancers out of 145 with the warts. Is this just coincidence or are we spreading this virus? Does it live on dry surfaces?
Thank you for any assistance or advice you can offer.

[Guest]

The wart virus can only live in wet areas. Therefore, it is possible that the perspiration on the feet while the group dances could be left on the floor and transferred as another person steps in the same area. This possibility is remote however. Also, the other groups of children should not be concerned because the floor has dried by the time the following age group uses the same floor. Wiping the floor with a disinfectant between groups would guarantee this and having dancers wash their feet after dancing may help dancers in the same class.
[quote] Can you offer any insight on the potential to spread plantar warts via the floor of a dance studio. I am the owner of a studio and have taught dance for many years and never had a problem w/ plantar warts... [/quote]