Four more children have died in a hand-foot-mouth disease outbreak in central China's Henan Province, bringing the death toll as of Wednesday to 29, an official said yesterday.

The dead were among the 41,088 cases reported in Henan, 10,244 up from the figure released on April 15, said Liu Xuezhou, director of the Henan Provincial Health Department.

According to Liu, 12,477 children had been hospitalized, 2,023 of whom were still in hospital, including 319 in a serious condition.

"The number of cases is likely to rise further as the period from May to July is a peak season for the disease," he warned.

The province ordered health authorities to step up efforts on disease prevention and be sure sufficient funds are available, he added.

Hand-foot-mouth disease is a common childhood illness. Symptoms include fever, sores in the mouth and a rash with blisters. It can be fatal if complications occur.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2009)