A mysterious illness is playing havoc with the lives of children in Linyi city in China. Last month, nearly 26 children have been crushed by it. But unfortunately, the authorities are not ready to accept the fact while local media has openly accused the Government of covering up an epidemic.
In the words of Shandong Health Bureau,
The reports on the Internet are pure rumour, this illness is a viral infection of the intestines that commonly occurs in infants and children in the summer and autumn months.
Medical authorities in Linyi said the deaths were caused by an outbreak of ‘hand-foot-mouth disease’ which had infected up to 292 children in the city at that time.
Hand-foot-mouth disease is common childhood illnesses whose symptoms include mouth ulcers, sores, fever and skin rash. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted through saliva, air or skin contact. It can sometimes be fatal if complications occur.
Parents are refusing to allow their children out of doors and avoiding the consumption of beef or lamb, believing the illness was linked to foot-and-mouth disease that affects livestock.
The Shanghai Morning Post blamed health officials for failing to inform the public of the disease leading to panic in the city.
