The IHT reports:
A fast-spreading viral outbreak in eastern China has killed 21 children, sickened nearly 3,000 others and caused panic among parents in an impoverished corner of Anhui Province, state news media reported Friday.
The intestinal virus, commonly known as hand, foot and mouth disease, has been spreading in the city of Fuyang since early March, but local health officials only announced the outbreak last week, raising questions of whether they were trying to conceal word of the growing problem. In recent days the Chinese media have heavily criticized the government response, offering comparisons to the SARS epidemic of 2003, which drew widespread attention to China's shaky public health system and official attempts to cover up the outbreak.
On Thursday the World Health Organization warned that the disease, which thrives in warm weather, could spread in the coming months. It advised child-care centers and schools to stay closed until the spread of new infections was curtailed.
To read more:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/02/asia/china.php?WT.mc_id=newsalert
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