BEIJING, April 7 -- At least 15 people have died of hand-foot-mouth disease this year in east China's Shandong Province, local health authorities said Monday.

    Two people, one from Heze City and one from Liaocheng City, died Sunday, bringing Shandong's death toll to 15, according to the provincial health administration.

    The administration did not provide further details about these two latest fatalities.

    As of Monday, all 17 cities in Shandong had reported the disease. There have been about 11,500 cases, of whom more than 7,100 have recovered.

    More than 80 experts from 10 medical institutions have been sent to Heze city, the worst-hit area, to help local doctors.

    The disease, which is more common in summer and autumn, is not included in the routine reporting list of infectious diseases in China.

    The disease mainly affects children under 10. Symptoms include fever, mouth sores and a rash. It can be fatal if complications occur.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from JINAN. (XHTV)