Killer bug sweeps through Chinese children

The number of children infected with a deadly virus in China has nearly doubled in the last two days.

The bug, Enterovirus 71, has killed 21 children since it was discovered in March in Fuyang, a city in the eastern Anhui province.

The total number of children infected has risen to 2,477 in Fuyang, the city in Anhui where the disease was first reported in March, the official state media Xinhua said. It said all were under six and most were under two.

Numbers of infected children by Enterovirus 71 have steadily increased since hospitals in Fuyang began admitting patients with fever, blisters, ulcers in the mouth, or a rash on their hands and feet.

An official investigation into the cause of the outbreak has been launched, along with a prevention and control team to contain infected areas in the province.

The virus is most prevalent in the May to July months, but the state health bureau said it could not rule out the emergence of a new peak season for the virus as a result of the outbreak.

Enterovirus 71 is one of several viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease, which is characterised by fever, mouth sores and a rash with blisters. It is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons.

The illness mainly strikes children below 10.