Prevention: the top priority

Prevention is the "top priority" as currently there is no vaccine or specific treatment for the HFMD virus, said Zhao Minggang, deputy director of the medical administration department under the MOH.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang in April also called for stronger prevention and control efforts as well as more research into vaccines and drugs, to fight the disease.

The MOH Thursday distributed a clinical guideline on HFMD treatment to doctors across the country to fully equip doctors, especially those in rural areas, with HFMD knowledge.

Training sessions had been organized for health care workers as well, according to Zhao.

Many provinces, including north China's Henan, have organized disease control experts to tour around the provinces providing needed expertise.

The health bureau in Quanzhou County has handed out 140,000 flyers introducing basic HFMD knowledge to parents.

Parents, particularly those in rural areas, are urged to practice good hygiene to help prevent the infection. Kindergartens and schools across Henan have been asked to step up health checks among children.

Shenzhen City also has been keeping an eye on communities with large floating populations, schools and factories.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2010)