China Intestinal Virus Toll Increases

A deadly virus outbreak in Fuyang in China’s eastern Anhui province has killed 20 children and infected 1,500 others.

The virus confirmed as enterovirus 71 apparently has been spreading since last month. All affected children are younger that 6 years of age with the majority being under 2.

By Tuesday, the virus had killed 20 of the affected children, Xinhua reported.

Many of the rest were reported to have recovered but 412 children remained hospitalized with 26 among them reported being seriously ill.

A provincial health official said many medical workers from other areas have been sent to Fuyang to assist local officials.

Enterovirus 71 can cause hand, foot and mouth disease that usually starts with a slight fever followed by blisters of ulcers in the mouth and rashes on hands and feet, the report said. It may cause meningitis, encephalitis, pulmonary edema and paralysis in some cases and lead to death in serious cases. Currently no vaccine or therapeutic treatment is available to treat it, the report said.

The cause of the virus infection hasn’t been determined.