As of April 2012, multiple press sources reported an outbreak of an unidentified skin disease in the Ba Tơ District of Quảng Ngãi Province, Vietnam. The disease is reported to begin as a skin rash, and in numerous cases appears to have led to the death of the affected individual through organ failure.[1][2] As of 21 April 2012, the disease was reported to have affected 170 people, and killed 19.[1]

The Associated Press reported that Vietnam has asked for assistance from the World Health Organization.[3]

Another, separate unknown skin disease was reported from Quảng Ngãi's Sơn Hà District in early May 2012.[4]

Poisonous heavy metals in the soil or toxic mould on rice have been considered the most likely causes so far.[5]

Another outbreak of the same disease in the Quảng Ngãi area was reported in March 2013.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Vietnam seeks foreign help to beat mystery skin disease". BBC News. 2012-04-21.
  2. ↑ "Fatal disease baffles doctors". Viet Nam News. 2012-04-19.
  3. ↑ "Vietnam seeks help with mystery disease; 19 dead". USA Today. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  4. ↑ New strange skin disease appears in Quang Ngai - News VietNamNet
  5. ↑ "Poisoned soil suspected cause of Vietnam illness". BBC News. 2012-05-14.
  6. ↑ "Bizarre skin disease outbreaks again in Quang Ngai". VietNamNet. 2013-03-11.
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