Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Takes More Lives in China

In eastern China, 39 deaths due to hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) are now reported by the official Xinhua News Agency, according to the AP. However, the disease, caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71), is "under control" in Fuyang City, writes Xinhua. There have been no deaths in the hard-hit metropolis of approximately 9 million people between May 2nd and 10th, and most hospitalized children who were in critical condition have recovered, reports a city official.

However, one of the recently reported HFMD deaths occurred in the eastern part of Anhui province, home of Fuyang City (which is in the northwestern part of the province). Another child died on the southern island province of Hainan, and 3 have died in the southern Guangdon province. The number of HFMD cases has escalated to 24,934 in 6 provinces, including Jilin in the far northeast. The cities of Beijing and Shanghai have also been affected.