Parents in the central Chinese city of Fuyang were today warned to keep an eye on the health of their children, after more than 20 infants were killed and thousands more left hospitalised by a highly contagious disease. A virulent form of hand, foot and mouth disease has killed 22 young children in the dirt-poor industrial city in central Anhui province. Another four have died in two other provinces and officials say the illness may have yet to reach its peak.
The Ministry of Health has issued a national alert, and the minister heads a special task force to try to curb the spread of enterovirus 71, or EV71, that has now infected nearly 10,000 people - mainly children - across China. The disease spreads through direct contact with the mucus, saliva or faeces of an infected person. Young children are usually the most susceptible because of their less developed immune systems.
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