TWO kindergartens in Beijing were temporarily shut down yesterday after children showed symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD).

The number of children infected in the kindergartens, in Chaoyang District and Haidian District respectively, has not been confirmed and the sick are being examined to find out what kind ofvirus triggered the outbreak, according to Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP).

Beijing has recorded at least 1,482 cases of HFMD by Monday, of which 818 were in kindergartens.

The city's CDCP has said that any child found with the illness should be isolated at home and that if more than three children in a single classroom were infected the class should be suspended, the newspaper said.

As of yesterday, the number of HFMD cases reported nationwide this year had risen to 12,164 with 26 fatalities, mainly in Fuyan of Anhui Province, according to a Xinhua count of local official figures.

Expert teams have been sent by the Health Ministry to Fuyang, the worst-affected area, to help with diagnosis and treatment. Kindergartens in the city were closed to prevent a further spread of the disease and a public awareness campaign was launched.

World Health Organization (WHO) representative in China Hans Troedsson expressed appreciation for China¡¯s quick response to the outbreak of HFMD and pledged the world body¡¯s willingness to support China in its efforts to combat the illness.(Xinhua)