The World Health Organization said Thursday it suspected the unknown illness that affected about 400 people in Angola was caused by bromide poisoning.
The unknown illness has caused at least five deaths according to health authorities in Luanda, the capital, and some 64 percent of those affected are children, WHO said in a statement.
Mysterious Disease Kills Five in Angola, More Than 100 Affected
An unidentified disease has killed five people and led to more than 100 being hospitalised over the past two weeks in the outskirts of the Angolan capital Luanda, health officials said Saturday.
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After conducting blood tests in laboratories in Germany, WHO found "very high levels" of bromide in every five out of six blood samples tested.
"Additional samples are currently on the way to a laboratory in Britain for testing for bromides," WHO added.
On Monday, more than 390 cases were identified and treated at the municipal hospital in a suburb of the Angolan capital.
![Toxic Bacteria Blamed for Mysterious Deaths in Indonesia]( "Toxic Bacteria Blamed for Mysterious Deaths in Indonesia")
Toxic bacteria in a local delicacy most likely killed 10 Indonesians who died mysteriously last month in a village on the densely-populated island of Java, a senior health official said Wednesday.
On Wednesday, WHO deployed more technical and operational support to aid Angolan authorities.
All the victims have complained of dizziness, sleepiness, and difficulty in walking and speaking.
According to the WHO website, methyl bromide is primarily used as a fumigant in ships' holds, grain silos and other large enclosed areas.
The health agency has not indicated what could be the origin of the illness, but the local press pointed out the amount of pollution in that particular suburb as a possible culprit.
In October, inhabitants said that a heavy green cloud came from a small petrochemical factory which has since been closed, according to the financial daily A Capital.
Source: AFP
SRM/P
On Monday, more than 390 cases were identified and treated at the municipal hospital in a suburb of the Angolan capital.
Toxic Bacteria Blamed for Mysterious Deaths in Indonesia
Toxic bacteria in a local delicacy most likely killed 10 Indonesians who died mysteriously last month in a village on the densely-populated island of Java, a senior health official said Wednesday.
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On Wednesday, WHO deployed more technical and operational support to aid Angolan authorities.
All the victims have complained of dizziness, sleepiness, and difficulty in walking and speaking.
According to the WHO website, methyl bromide is primarily used as a fumigant in ships' holds, grain silos and other large enclosed areas.
The health agency has not indicated what could be the origin of the illness, but the local press pointed out the amount of pollution in that particular suburb as a possible culprit.
In October, inhabitants said that a heavy green cloud came from a small petrochemical factory which has since been closed, according to the financial daily A Capital.
Source: AFP
SRM/P
High Risk Soil Fumigant Given The Go-Ahead
The Environmental Protection Agency of U.S has given the green signal for the one-year use of a controversial agricultural pesticide.
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