At least 121 children and one adult have been infected by hand-foot-mouth disease over the past half month in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the local disease prevention center said Thursday.

The patients showed only minor symptoms and their condition is stable, according to Wang Wenrui, doctor with the regional disease prevention and control center.

All the patients have been quarantined and are under medical treatment and supervision.

The cases were found in kindergartens, schools and individual households in Jungar Banner of Erdos City, central Inner Mongolia. The first case was discovered in a township kindergarten on May 31.

Children are having the temperatures checked and nurseries, kindergartens and schools in the banner have been sterilized to prevent further spread of the disease, which killed three children in east China's Shandong Province over the past two months.

As of May 21, China had reported 5,459 cases of hand-foot-and mouth disease, up 119.41 percent compared with the number last year, according to the Health Ministry.

Hand-foot-mouth disease, also known as coxsackievirus infection, is a common childhood illness that mainly affects children under the age of 10.

Symptoms include fever, sores in the mouth and a rash with blisters. It often begins with a sore throat. Moderately contagious, the disease can be transmitted through nose and throat discharges. It can sometimes be fatal if complications occur.

The ministry has asked local authorities to keep close watch on kindergartens and schools and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

The disease, which is more common in summer and autumn, is not included in the routine reporting list of infectious diseases in China. But medical institutions are encouraged to report the disease to health authorities.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2007)