Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Seven children have died in central China from an epidemic of “hand, foot and mouth” disease, a virus that this year has killed 57 so far.
According to state press there have been a total of 126 thousand cases reported, Of these an estimated 55 thousand were registered in March, leading to the death of at least 31 children under 5 years of age. At least 25 of these babies died in the province of Henan. The seven deaths announced today are in the same region. The greatest number of cases reported this year are from the agricultural belt in the regions of Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Guangxi, Anhui, Guangdong, Hebei, Hubei, Hunan and Zhejiang, where healthcare is minimal. Last year official data spoke of 27 thousand young children infected by the disease, which ended in May.
“Hand, foot and mouth” disease is characterized by fever, mouth sores and a rash with blisters. It is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected people. It is not fatal in itself however it can provoke complications such as high fevers and meningitis.