A doctor examines a child at Sigang Village in Yaohai District of Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, May 5, 2008. A thorough examination of village children has been carried out to control and prevent the hand-foot-mouth disease in the district.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

A doctor examines a child at Sigang Village in Yaohai District of Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, May 5, 2008. A thorough examination of village children has been carried out to control and prevent the hand-foot-mouth disease in the district.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

WHO pledges support for China in viral outbreak

    BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- World Health Organization (WHO) representative in China Hans Troedsson has expressed appreciation for China's quick response to the outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and pledged the world body's willingness to support China in its efforts to combat the illness.

    During a Monday meeting with Health Minister Chen Zhu, Troedsson said the WHO office in China would continue to actively work with China in coping with the outbreak, provide technical support and share with other countries and regions the experience gained here, the health ministry said on its website on Tuesday. Full story

Shanghai on high alert against lethal intestinal virus

    BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- While there have been no reports of children infections by the deadly enterovirus 71, Shanghai, China's most populous city, is taking no chances and has prioritized early-detection checks and hygiene, local media said Tuesday.

    The Shanghai Health Supervision Agency said Monday it had ordered all kindergartens and primary schools to enhance daily morning checkups for any signs of children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), according to the English-language Shanghai Daily. Full story

Children learn the principles of precaution against the hand-foot-mouth disease in Hancheng kindergarten in Hanshan county, east China's Anhui Province, May 6, 2008. An educational program was carried out to fight against the hand-foot-mouth disease in the kindergarten.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

A teacher examines a boy's hands during a drive to fight against the hand-foot-mouth disease in Hancheng kindergarten in Hanshan county, east China's Anhui Province, May 6, 2008. An educational program was carried out to fight against the hand-foot-mouth disease in the kindergarten. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Children learn the proper way to wash their hands in a kindergarten in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 6, 2008. Precautions such as morning examinations are carried out in kindergartens of Yinchuan recently to fight against the hand-foot-mouth disease among children.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

A teacher demonstrates as children look on to learn the proper use of handkerchief in a kindergarten in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 6, 2008. Precautions such as morning examinations are carried out in kindergartens of Yinchuan recently to fight against the hand-foot-mouth disease among children.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

A teacher helps as children learn the proper way to wash their hands in a kindergarten in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 6, 2008. Precautions such as morning examinations are carried out in kindergartens of Yinchuan recently to fight against the hand-foot-mouth disease among children. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Children are examined in a kindergarten in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, May 5, 2008. In order to ensure children's health and prevent diseases transmitted by hand, foot or mouth, lots of kindergartens in Zhengzhou started to practice morning examination after the May Day Holidays to promote health habits as washing hands, basking and eating well-cooked food. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Children go through morning examination in a kindergarten in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, May 5, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>