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Hand, foot, mouth disease peaking in city early
By Cai Wenjun |
April 16, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE peak season for hand, foot and mouth disease has hit the city earlier than usual, carried by what seems a stronger virus, officials from Shanghai Health Bureau said yesterday.
By Tuesday, Shanghai reported 6,898 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, more than twice the cases in the same period last year.
Among the cases, 2,475 were local children and 4,423 were migrant children.
More than 90 percent of patients were children under five years old. A total of 20 children have been diagnosed as having severe cases. No one has died of the disease, the bureau reported.
Last year, three children died of hand, foot and mouth disease, which usually peaks between May and July.
Health authorities said the public shouldn't panic about the disease, which can be prevented and controlled.
"High awareness and good personal hygiene are critical. That's why more migrant children suffered the disease in the city," said Song Guofan, a health bureau official.
Spread by saliva, blood and direct contact with infected persons or their belongings, the disease typically strikes infants and children up to age six; those under four are at highest risk.
The virus usually breaks out in the spring, and peaks between May and July. Although occasionally fatal, the disease in most cases is mild, with children recovering quickly.
Nationwide, 94 children have died of the disease in China this year, said the Ministry of Health. A total of 192,344 cases including 2,119 serious cases were reported from January 1 to April 11, a rise of 38 percent from the same period last year.
The ministry said the disease has entered its peak season nationwide.
"Parents had better not take children to crowded places or places with bad ventilation during the peak season," Song said.
"It is important to take children with symptoms like fever and rash to the hospital and keep sick children home," he said.
Local health authorities said they will boost public education on preventing and controlling the disease.
By Tuesday, Shanghai reported 6,898 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, more than twice the cases in the same period last year.
Among the cases, 2,475 were local children and 4,423 were migrant children.
More than 90 percent of patients were children under five years old. A total of 20 children have been diagnosed as having severe cases. No one has died of the disease, the bureau reported.
Last year, three children died of hand, foot and mouth disease, which usually peaks between May and July.
Health authorities said the public shouldn't panic about the disease, which can be prevented and controlled.
"High awareness and good personal hygiene are critical. That's why more migrant children suffered the disease in the city," said Song Guofan, a health bureau official.
Spread by saliva, blood and direct contact with infected persons or their belongings, the disease typically strikes infants and children up to age six; those under four are at highest risk.
The virus usually breaks out in the spring, and peaks between May and July. Although occasionally fatal, the disease in most cases is mild, with children recovering quickly.
Nationwide, 94 children have died of the disease in China this year, said the Ministry of Health. A total of 192,344 cases including 2,119 serious cases were reported from January 1 to April 11, a rise of 38 percent from the same period last year.
The ministry said the disease has entered its peak season nationwide.
"Parents had better not take children to crowded places or places with bad ventilation during the peak season," Song said.
"It is important to take children with symptoms like fever and rash to the hospital and keep sick children home," he said.
Local health authorities said they will boost public education on preventing and controlling the disease.
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