Child-killing virus continues to surge, kills 26 children

The deadly Enterovirus 71 (EV71) in China claimed one more life, taking country’s total death toll from the intestinal virus to 26. The most recent incident of death comes merely two days after the Chinese health officials issued a nationwide health alert in an effort to control the outbreak.

The virus spreads very rapidly and can cause blisters in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet. In worst cases, it can cause brain, heart and lung damage.

The most populated Asian country on Monday reported surge in the number of children sickened with EV71, one of several viruses that cause the disease. The state media has reported that the virus so far has affected 8,573 children in the provinces of Anhui, Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Jiangsu, as well as Beijing. Majority of victims are under six years of age.

The latest victim is a child from coastal Zhejiang province, where according to the provincial Health Ministry the hand, foot and mouth disease has affected more than 1,195 children. With the recent fatality, the death toll from the Enterovirus 71 has jumped to 26.

The outbreak first emerged in Fuyang city in March, but was only reported in mid-April. The 40-day delay in reporting the outbreak has led to accusations of poor management and surveillance of the disease by local authorities.

The health ministry has now ordered health authorities to report all cases of the virus within 24 hours as well as asked hospitals for daily reports on the disease. It also ordered local health departments to report emergencies without any delay and increase investment in research into the disease.

As a precautionary measure, the Ministry has ordered to close kindergartens across Fuyang, were more than 5,000 children are in hospital. The authorities are spraying the streets with disinfectant and also urging parents to wash their children’s hands frequently.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation officials have said they do not see any health risk due to the virus for the Olympics in Beijing in August.

“The concern would be if we saw a continuous peak of the disease," said Hans Troedsson, the WHO representative in China. "At the same time, where I am cautiously positive is that we now know what is causing this outbreak, and that the government has taken action.”