CHILDREN suspected of suffering from the highly infectious hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) have been barred from using Shenzhen's public baths and swimming pools, the local public health authorities said.

Public baths and swimming pools have been asked to prevent the spread of the infectious disease, a common childhood illness which has killed 35 (34????) children nationwide so far this year, Zhang Hong, vice director of the city's public health supervision station under the public health bureau, said Friday.

Children showing HPMD symptoms, such as fever, mouth sores and rashes on the hands and feet, should be barred from entering such places, Zhang said, adding that water, pools and public facilities should be disinfected regularly, Zhang said.

Zhang on Friday inspected more than 20 kindergartens, which are most vulnerable to mass outbreaks of the disease since children below 3 are most susceptible to HPMD.

The official urged parents, kindergartens and nurseries to ensure children wash their hands regularly and follow other sanitary practices.

Meanwhile, border police have also increased supervision of children passengers.

Shenzhen had registered 1,139 HFMD cases by Tuesday, none of which were fatal.

Outbreaks have also occurred in the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Hunan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Henan, Hebei, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangxi and the municipalities of Beijing and Chongqing.

HFMD is caused by more than one type of virus, and most of the cases involve young children.

Fatalities were linked to enterovirus 71 (EV71), which causes a severe form of the disease that can lead to viral meningitis and death.

(Li Jing)