The number of people in Japan suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease continues to be at high levels although the weekly figure of infections shows a decline.

The viral disease causes rashes on the hands and feet and sores inside the mouth and elsewhere. It mainly affects young children in summer. In rare cases, it triggers encephalitis and other serious conditions.

Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases says 36,797 cases were reported from about 3,000 designated pediatric clinics across the country in the week through July 21.

The average number of patients per clinic was 11.72, down by 1.62 from the previous week, but remains at high levels.

By prefecture, Mie had the largest average number of 27.56, followed by Toyama at 21.76, Shizuoka at 20.9, Niigata at 19.31 and Hiroshima at 18.82.

In 41 of 47 prefectures in Japan, the average number topped the government's alert level of five patients per clinic.

The head of Mie National Hospital, Taniguchi Kiyosu, says infections have peaked in some areas, but that the number is increasing in other areas where infections have not spread. He said there is a possibility nationwide infections will continue for some time.

He also pointed out respiratory infectious illnesses such as COVID-19 are also spreading. He said when people develop early symptoms of those diseases, including fever, a runny nose and cough, they should avoid contact with others to prevent the spread of infections.