, 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], 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]