The Olympic Games are unlikely to be affected by the virus[AFP]
The number of people affected by the deadly EV-71 virus has risen to more than 9,000, including people in Beijing, Chinese officials have said.
Beijing health officials said on Monday that there were 1,482 reported cases of the infection in the capital.
At least 26 children have died so far from the severe form of foot and mouth disease.
Officials said the city health authorities were on high alert
Dozens of other EV-71 cases have been confirmed from several other Chinese provinces.
Children dying
The most recent death was reported in the coastal province of Zhejiang on Monday, although state media gave no other details.
The virus first appeared in the eastern state of Anhui where 22 children have died.
Three deaths occurred in the southern province of Guangdong.
'Olympics unaffected'
The World Health Organisation has said the outbreak poses no threat to China's hosting of the Olympic Games in August.
Hans Troedsson, the World Health Organisation's China representative, said: "I don't see it at all as a threat for the Olympics or any other event."
None the less, Chinese health officials have stepped-up efforts to contain the outbreak.
People have been told they must report any cases of the disease within 24 hours.
Hospitals have been inundated with patients, with corridors being used as wards.
The cause of the outbreak is not known.
Deadly virus
Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) can cause a severe form of hand, foot and mouth disease and has symptoms including fever, mouth sores and blisters.
It is easily spread by sneezing or coughing.
Enteroviruses are spread mostly through contact with infected blisters or faeces and can cause high fever, paralysis and swelling of the brain or its lining.
There are no vaccines or antiviral agents available to treat or prevent the virus, but health officials say simple hygiene steps can prevent it from spreading.