Wang Yuanyuan

THIRTEEN cases of intestinal virus have been reported in Shenzhen since April, none of them fatal, the city’s center for disease control and prevention (CDC) announced at a news conference yesterday.

The number of infections was similar to the number reported for the same period last year. Citizens did not need to be panic, CDC officials said. Most victims of intestinal virus, confirmed as enterovirus 71 or EV 71, were preschool children and their conditions were not serious, the officials said.

EV 71 is a common infectious disease which often strikes children under the age of 5 during summer. Common symptoms include fever and ulcers on hands, feet and around mouths and most victims suffer only minor illness.

A very few victims may suffer fatal complications including myocarditis, pulmonary edema or meningitis, according to Mei Shujiang, a doctor with the Infectious Diseases Prevention Department of the CDC.

Xinhua reported Sunday that 19 children in Fuyang, Anhui Province, had died and 789 others fallen ill since March in an outbreak of a lethal intestinal virus.

Mei said citizens could prevent the virus spreading by disinfecting home appliances and utensils and keeping children away from public places.