Outbreaks have also occurred in the provinces of Jiangsu, Hunan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Jiangxi and Henan.

According to the Guidelines Regarding Prevention and Control of HFMD published on the Ministry of Health website, HFMD can be caused by a host of intestinal viruses, but EV71 and the Coxsackievirus (Cox A 16) were the most common.

HFMD usually starts with a slight fever followed by blisters and ulcers in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet.

Those sickened by EV71 often show serious symptoms. It can also lead to meningitis, encephalitis, pulmonary edema and paralysis in some children.

The epidemic was first recorded on March 20. The Health Ministry issued a circular late last month requiring better management and surveillance of the disease, as it expects more cases in the next few months.

The ministry asked hospitals for daily reports on the disease, and for local health departments to report emergencies promptly and increase investment in research into the disease.

(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2008)