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)