Mysterious Disease Killing Children Under The Age Of Three In Cambodia

                                     

There is a mysterious illness that has been taking the lives of children under the age of 3 in Cambodia. Lab tests have confirmed that a virulent strain of hand, foot and mouth disease known as EV-71 is to blame for some of the 59 cases reviewed, including 52 deaths, according to a joint statement from the World Health Organization and CambodianHealth Ministry. The numbers were lowered from the initial report of 62 cases.

EV-71 is a virus that can result in paralysis, brain swelling and death. Most of the Cambodian cases involved children under 3 who experienced fever, respiratory problems that quickly progressed and sometimes neurological symptoms. According to Fox news reports, the disease sickened more than 110,000 people in Vietnam and killed 166, mostly children under 3 last year.

The disease has been raging across Asia, and usually causes a telltale rash. WHO spokeswoman Aphaluck Bhatiasevi says rash was seen in only a few of the Cambodian cases. The disease has been raging across Asia, and usually causes a telltale rash.