DNA sequences of VP1 and VP4 gene products generated by RT-PCR from isolates were used in this analysis essentially as previously described [24] . The software package ClustalX [25] was used for alignment and to generate a bootstrapped phylogenetic tree using the neighbour joining method according to Saitou and Nei [26] .Primers and DNA sequences TTCCAATACCACCCCTTGGATGA Antisense (1195-1173) HEV71 VP4 gene. 159 [19] ACYATGAAAYTGTGCAAGG Sense (2385-2403) HEV71 VP1 gene. 162 [19] CCRGTAGGKGTRCACGCRAC Antisense (2869-2850) HEV71 VP1 gene. 161 [19] CTGGGACATAGAYATAACWGG Sense (2766-2785) HEV71 VP1 gene. NP1A [19] GCICCICAYTGITGICCRAA Antisense (3355-3336) HEV71 VP1 gene. MAS01S [20] ATAATAGCAYTRGCGGCAGCCCA Sense (2355-2377) partial VP1 gene. MAS02A [20] AGAGGGAGRTCTATCTCYCC Antisense (2731-2712) partial VP1 gene. MD91 [18] CCTCCGGCCCCTGAATGCGGCTAAT Sense (450-474) partial 5UTR. MD90 [18] ATTGTCACCATAAGCAGCCA Antisense (603-584) partial 5UTR.