Virus not threatening the Olympics

The World Health Organisation says a highly infectious virus that killed 24 children in China is not a threat to the Beijing Olympics.

WHO’s Beijing head, Hans Troedsson, said today there is no evidence yet that the enterovirus 71 virus has spread and that it is not a threat to the Beijing games that start on August 8.

“I don’t see it at all as a threat to the Olympics or any upcoming events. ... This is a disease mainly affecting young children,” he said.

Chinese media say the death toll from the highly infectious virus has risen to 24.