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 | | The virus has infected nearly 2,500 children and stretched medical resources |
An intestinal virus sweeping though eastern China has claimed the life of another child, bringing the total number of dead to 21.
The Enterovirus 71 disease was first reported in the province of Anhui in March and has so far infected nearly 2,500 children under the age of 6.
No details were given of the latest death, which was reported in state media on Friday. The infection causes hand, foot and mouth disease, with symptoms such as fever, mouth sores and blisters.
Hospitals have been inundated with sufferers and corridors have had to be converted into wards. The cause of the outbreak is not known.  | | The infection causes hand, foot and mouth disease |
Enteroviruses are spread mostly through contact with infected blisters or faeces and can cause high fever, paralysis and swelling of the brain or its lining. There are no vaccines or antiviral agents available to treat or prevent the virus, but health officials say simple hygiene steps can prevent it spreading. The delay in reporting the virus to the public has triggered heated debate and criticism in the Chinese media, which said local government officials should be sacked. In 2002 Chinese officials were accused of dragging their feet in reporting the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The virus spread around the world killing more than 500, although most of the deaths were in mainland China and Hong Kong.
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