MORE than 22,200 Chinese children have been infected this year with hand, foot and mouth disease, state media has reported. A deadly strain of the virus, which is linked with enterovirus 71 (EV71), has killed at least 32 children.
Experts are still trying to find an effective treatment for the disease, which causes high fever, paralysis and meningitis.
China has issued a nationwide alert and nurseries have been closed.
US health secretary Michael Leavitt will be travelling to Beijing next week to help with crisis.