China to reopen kindergartens after disease: state media

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — Kindergartens in the Chinese city worst hit by a viral outbreak preying on children will reopen next month with the epidemic judged to be under control, state media said Tuesday.

Kindergartens in Fuyang in the eastern province of Anhui will reopen on June 1, which is Children's Day in China, the Xinhua news agency reported, citing local health officials.

Enterovirus 71, or EV71, causes fever, blisters, mouth ulcers and rashes and can lead to acute food and mouth disease.

A total of 1,116 patients were still being treated in the city's hospitals as of Sunday for EV71, with two in critical condition and 17 in intensive care, it said.

But the outbreak in the city of 9.3 million people was seen to be under control, Xinhua said.

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