WHO Says Child Virus EV-17 In China Not A Threat To Olympics

Though the outbreak of the deadly disease enterovirus 71 or EV-71 has already claimed lives of some 24 children in China, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday, May 4, that it is unlikely to be a threat to the approaching Beijing Olympics. The WHO, however, also mentioned that it is too early to say whether or not the EV-17 has already peaked.

The total number of deaths as a result of the EV-17 rose to 24 on Sunday, though safety measures have been stepped up all around by the health ministry in China in order to curtail its spreading. The EV-71 is a severe kind of hand, foot and mouth disease that mainly affects children. Its outbreak, at present, has compounded the problems of the Chinese government that is preparing to host the Beijing Olympics in August and is also busy handling the anti-China unrest in Tibet.  

Hans Troedsson, who is the WHO China representative, said that he did not view the outbreak of EV-17 as a threat to the Olympics or any upcoming events. He explained this was because EV-17 is a disease that mainly affects young children. He added that the virus usually peaked during summer months of June and July, which means there may be further increase in infections in the coming time.  

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