As five new cases of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infections were confirmed in Macao, the total number of hand- foot-mouth disease (HFMD) rose to 99, local health authorities announced Friday.

Three of the five new EV71 cases were found at the Tung Sin Tong (No. 2) creche, where the most severe HFMD outbreak occurred, with 7 pupils infected by the highly contagious EV71 virus, according to a press statement released by the Disease Preventive and Control Center of Macao's Health Bureau (SSM).

Other two cases involved a two-year-old child and a five-month-old baby, both of whom were recovering, the Control Center also said.

The SSM has ordered the creche, where the two-year-old young patient was from, to suspend classes and carry out complete cleaning and disinfecting.

HFMD is caused by more than one type of viruses, and most of the cases involve young children, according to information posted on the website of China's Health Ministry.

EV71 is one of the most common viruses that can cause HFMD, which usually starts with a slight fever followed by blisters and ulcers in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet. If the disease develops, it can lead to death.

(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2008)