At the same time, authorities announced that the number of reported cases has reached 1,000 throughout the country. Health ministry officials said most of the cases have been contracted by children between the ages of one and two years old. 

The first diagnosed case was announced on May 8. By May 14, some 491 cases of HFMD had been confirmed. Health officials say 100 new cases per day are now being diagnosed. Most cases have been mild and no deaths have been reported, according to health officials. 

"It's predicted that the spread of the disease is likely to reach its peak level in June or July since the disease thrives in warm weather," said D. Narangerel, an official at the Health Ministry.  

Nationwide, hospitals have added extra beds to treat hand-foot-mouth disease patients. Besides closing schools, teachers elsewhere in the country have been alerted to watch for symptoms among students and posters are being used to request assistance from the public.

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.3.0