The recent outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) will not affect the Beijing Olympic Games, the Ministry of Heath spokesman Mao Qun'an said on Wednesday.

China is confident that it can control the spread of the disease with effective prevention methods, Mao said at a press conference jointly held by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.

He said other than Fuyang city in the eastern province of Anhui, which reported the initial outbreak and the most fatal cases of the disease, the rest of the country had not reported a rise in HFMD cases compared with previous years.

The city has recorded 4,496 HFMD cases since March 20. Of these cases, 22 have been fatal, with 42 patients listed in critical condition as of May 2.

"The disease in Fuyang has been brought under control by improving prevention methods and medical treatment of infected children," Mao told the news conference.

He said the health ministry has taken a series of measures to prevent a large-scale spread of the disease.

"We have also included HFMD as a C class epidemic that must be reported to the ministry, to strengthen the reporting of the disease," Mao said.

According to Mao, two kindergartens in Beijing have reported cases recently, and local health authorities have closed the two schools already.

Noting that HFMD mostly occurs among children, Mao stressed: "Beijing has not reported a remarkable rise of hand-foot-mouth disease cases in comparison with previous years, nor a higher number of fatal cases."

He added: "Health departments at all levels including those in Beijing will ensure the HFMD outbreak does not affect the Beijing Olympics."

But Mao noted that China may experience another outbreak of HFMD in June and July, according to expert analysis of the disease.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2008)