HEFEI: Nineteen children have died and more than 700 fallen ill following an outbreak of a lethal intestinal virus in Anhui province in March.

The virus has been identified as enterovirus 71, or EV 71, according to the health department of Fuyang city.

Beginning early March, hospitals in Fuyang started admitting children with fever, blisters, ulcers in the mouth, or rashes on the hands and feet. Most of the victims are aged between two and six.