China strives to minimize fatalities in viral outbreak

<p>BEIJING -- China's health minister has urged better treatment of children afflicted with hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) to keep fatalities to a minimum.</p><p>Minister Chen Zhu told a teleconference on Tuesday that the outbreak in Fuyang in east China's Anhui Province, where 22 children had died, must be contained.</p><p>Other parts of the country must also step up prevention and control efforts involving serious contagious diseases including HFMD, he said, adding that they needed to make a comprehensive analysis of the HFMD outbreak within their own administrations and map out specific work plans to combat the disease.</p><p>As of Wednesday morning, the epidemic has led to 28 deaths nationwide,  according to Xinhua's tally based on confirmed death reports from provincial-level health bureaus.</p><p>Chen said public health awareness and hygiene work must be enhanced, and primary schools and kindergartens should implement morning checks to prevent the disease from spreading.</p><p>Kindergartens should be closed for two or three weeks following reports of two or more cases -- or one very serious case. Once a serious or fatal case occurred, those who had close contact with the victim should be isolated for medical monitoring, he said.</p><p>Chen also urged local bureaus to remain alert and report any emergencies immediately.</p><p>Training of medical staff and management of viral labs should also be improved to raise their treatment and research capabilities, he said.</p></div>