China´s hand-foot-mouth cases rise to 11,905

Source: Xinhua | 05-06-2008 09:10

BEIJING, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The number of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) cases reported in China this year has risen to 11,905 by Monday, resulting in 26 deaths, according to Xinhua counting of local official figures.

Children are examined in a kindergarten in Zhengzhou, capital  of central China's Henan Province, May 5, 2008. In order to  ensure children's health and prevent diseases transmitted by  hand, foot or mouth, lots of kindergartens in Zhengzhou  started to practice morning examination after the May Day H olidays to promote health habits as washing hands, basking  and eating well-cooked food. (Xinhua Photo)

Tang Xiaoping, an epidemic expert and deputy head of the health bureau of Guangzhou, said the drastic rise is a result of an order by the Ministry of Health on Friday, which classifies HFMD as a C class epidemic that must be reported to the ministry.

Local health authorities were not required to report HFMD cases before the new order.

Zhejiang Province in east China said Monday that 1,198 children have been infected by HFMD this year, and that a five-year-old boy died on April 6.

According to the provincial health authority, nine of the reported cases were confirmed to have been triggered by enterovirus 71 (EV71), a highly contagious virus that preys on children usually aged between two and six.

Zhejiang registered 101, 793, and 1,607 cases of HFMD in 2005, 2006, 2007 respectively, said Zhao Feng, an official with the administration.

The worst-hit Anhui Province updated child infections to 5,840,including 689 new cases registered on Sunday, according to statistics from the provincial health administration.

In Fuyang City alone, where 22 children have been killed by the epidemic since March 20, 4,496 children have been infected and 1,314 are still hospitalized.

The coastal province of Guangdong reported 1,692 cases, an increase of 767 from Sunday. Three boys were killed in the outbreak of the disease.

Tests have confirmed 25 of the 26 deaths were triggered by EV71.