Skin disease infects 17, kills 1 in Vietnam

An unidentified mystery skin disease have infected 17 people from Vietnam's central Quang Ngai province, killing one, so far this year, local health official said Tuesday. Le Huy, an official from Quang Ngai health department, told local Vietnam News that 13 people from Ba To and Son Ha districts have been diagnosed with infections of dermatitis, while three others are being kept in health centers for further diagnosis. One patient, who previously believed to be suffering the disease, died of septicemia (a blood infection) at Da Nang general hospital Monday. He is 17 years old and from Son Ha district. Huy said 13 patients had undeniably suffered from dermatitis, while another three are being treated under existing methods by the Health Ministry. All patients have had oilment applied to their affected skin and taken medicine to ease the pain. The strange disease, which caused people's skin to peel off their feet and palms, was first reported in 2011, and it was believed to be controlled last August. However, it reoccurred on Feb. 19 this year. So far, the disease affected a total of 215 people, mainly from Ba To district of central Quang Ngai province, about 730 km south of capital Hanoi, of whom 23 people died, said the report.