Authorities in Vietnam’s central province of Quang Ngai have asked the Ministry of Health’s urgent intervention to control a strange skin disease which is quickly spreading in the locality. Local authorities asked the ministry to send another working group to the mountainous district of Ba To, to conduct research and define the reason as well as suggest solutions to prevent the epidemic. Though the local health department and big hospitals in Vietnam took many measures to contain the disease, the number of affections is on the rise in Ba Dien commune of Ba To district. Last Oct, the ministry’s experts came Ba Dien to survey and give examination to local residents but they could not find out the reason. By Jan 11, 2012, Quang Ngai had 106 patients suffering from this strange disease which cause ulcerates on their hands, feet, mouth, back and abdomen. Tests reveal that these people have high liver enzyme, anemia, kidney failure. Perhaps patients contacted dermatis caused by pesticides, but official conclusion has not been made, doctors said. Six strange diseases have been found in Vietnam in 2011, triggering the public concerns over the polluted environment, health experts said. Vietnam’s environment is being polluted severely, experts said, adding that up to 80% of diseases in humans are caused by environment pollution, especially contaminated water resources. The World Bank estimates that Vietnam spends $780 million on healthcare services related to environment pollution per year. (vietnamnet.vn Jan 12)
