An outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease that killed a toddler in east China's Shandong Province can be contained if effective measures are maintained, according to a Chinese epidemiologist.

Epidemiological investigations have identified an above average number of cases of the disease in Linyi city this spring, but they have occurred sporadically, said Wang Xianjun, chief of infectious diseases control with Shandong Provincial Center for Diseases Control.

Hand-foot-mouth disease, also known as coxsackievirus infection, is a common childhood illness with symptoms of mouth ulcers, sores, fever and rashes. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted through saliva, air or skin contact. It can sometimes be fatal if complications occur.

Until May 11, doctors had reported 293 cases in the city, including a two-year-old girl who died of the illness. Some recovered and were discharged from hospital. A total of 106 children patients who still remain in hospital are described as stable.

On April 27, the two-year-old girl was taken to hospital after developing symptoms of fever and vomiting, but two days later her condition worsened.

Doctors confirmed she had contracted hand-foot-mouth disease, but were too late to save her life. The girl died at the hospital on the evening of April 29.

After her death, the city's health bureau carried out an epidemiology research across the city, quarantining those infected by the disease and informing kindergartens and schools.

Local health departments have launched a public awareness campaign on the disease and isolated children with the disease for treatment. They are also tightening monitoring of the outbreak and have launched a daily reporting system in Linyi.

China recorded 2,477 cases of hand-food-mouth disease, including one death, in 2005, and 3,030 cases, including two deaths, in 2006.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2007)