Sharp rise in hand-foot-mouth disease in Beijng
20 June 2007
Beijing has reported a sharp increase on cases of children infected with hand-foot-mouth disease since June, municipal health authorities said, according to Xinhua (in Chinese). The city reported more than 100 cases on each day of June 11, 13 and 14. Hand-foot-mouth disease mainly affects children under the age of 10. Symptoms include fever, mouth sores and a rash with blisters. It often begins with a sore throat. The disease, which is moderately contagious and more common in summer and autumn, can be transmitted through nose and throat discharges. It can sometimes be fatal if complications occur.