VIETNAM

THE World Health Organisation says an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease has surged in Vietnam, killing 98 children and sickening more than 42,000 others this year.

It says three-quarters of the deaths have been in children aged three or younger.

This year’s outbreak is a sharp increase over previous years. Since 2008, only 20 to 30 children have died annually. No vaccine exists, but illness is typically mild and most children recover quickly.