Three die from toddler virus

Three children in eastern China have died from hand, foot and mouth disease, Reuters reported, citing state media. This marks the second outbreak of the toddler virus this year. The three victims were all less than one year old and from Jian’ou City. A flare-up of the virus in southern China killed at least 42 people in April and May and 27,500 additional cases were reported. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common illness among children, but outbreaks in China have been linked with enterovirus 71 (EV71), which can lead to a more severe form of the disease. Symptoms of EV71-linked hand, foot and mouth disease include high fever, paralysis and meningitis.