More than 2,100 children in HCM City contracted hand-foot-mouthdisease in the past three months, double the number in the same periodlast year, according to the city's Department of Health.

A total of 70 percent of the patients are under three years old, and 11 children have already died.

Since March the number of cases has increased 2.5 times each month.

The reason for the increase was the appearance of a new virusenterovirus 71 type B2, said Le Truong Giang, deputy director of thehealth department.

Hygiene levels in homes and schools are also an issue, he said.

Doctors at the Paediatrics Hospital No 1 said that in the last week ofMay, more than 100 children were being hospitalised with the disease perday.

In Paediatrics Hospital No 2, 5,450 children weretested for the disease last month, and 795 of them were hospitalised,double the number in April. As many as 284 of the 795 patients were fromneighbouring provinces.

At present more than 300 childrenare receiving treatment at the two hospitals, 15 of whom are in aserious condition and need special care, said Nguyen Van Tho, a doctorfrom Paediatrics Hospital No 1.

The municipal People'sCommittee last week sent an urgent letter to health, education andtraining, information and communications departments, and districtPeople's Committees, urging them to take preventive measures.

Doctors warned that residents should wash children's hands regularlyand clean children's toys and homes with antiseptic solution once aweek.

Giang said that the Department of Health would issue12,000 packets of antiseptic solution, free of charge, for cityresidents.

If children show symptoms of a hightemperature, difficulty breathing or rashes on their feet, hands andmouth, they should be taken to hospital immediately./.