Malaysia child dies from virus

Malaysia child dies from virus

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A highly contagious virus which has killed four children in Singapore has claimed its first victim in Malaysia with the death of a boy aged three, reports said Friday.

The boy died Tuesday in the southern city of Johor Baru just across the border from Singapore, the Star and New Straits Times reported.

Senior state health official Nooraini Baba was quoted by The Star as saying the results of blood tests were still awaited. But she said the boy had symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease -- lesions on his hands, feet and around his mouth.

In Singapore, a total of 30 children have been hospitalized with the virus in the last week and doctors have reported a total of 408 children showing symptoms of the disease since Sunday, when authorities ordered them to report all cases.