Taiwan combats virus as death toll hits seven

AFP, June, 2008

TAIPEI (AFP) — Taiwan has barred children aged under five from going to public play areas in a bid to contain the spread of a highly contagious virus that has killed seven so far this year, officials said Sunday.

Playgrounds at fast food outlets and hospitals in northern Taipei county were shut down from Saturday, as officials raced to sterilise hundreds of kindergartens and elementary schools.

The highly contagious enterovirus 71, or EV71, can lead to acute hand, foot and ...