The World Health Organization said that an infectious virus responsible for the deaths of 24 children in China is unlikely to threaten the Beijing Olympics, although it is too early to say whether the infection has peaked, AP reported. The enterovirus 71, or EV-71, causes severe hand, foot and mouth disease and mostly affects children. A representative of WHO China said that the virus normally peaks in June and July, which means there could still be an increase in infections across Asia. China’s Health Ministry issued a nationwide alert after EV-71 infected more than 4,500 children in central Anhui province and resulted in 22 deaths. The two most recently reported deaths occurred in the southern province of Guangdong.
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