Killer disease still baffles scientists Authorities remain baffled by the mysterious skin disease that has killed nearly 20 people and infected many others in Quang Ngai Province though the Ministry of Health has sent two delegations to investigate. Pham Hong Phuong, director of the Quang Ngai Province Department of Health, said the ministry has concluded it is palm dermatitis with liver problems. But he refused to provide further information about the ministry's conclusion or speculate about it. But Dr Tran Hau Khang, director of the Ha Noi-based Central Dermatology Hospital, who led both delegations, rejected the conclusion. He told the People's Army newspaper that it was based merely on symptoms and the cause remains unknown. Blood tests found the presence of the rickettsia bacterium in 14 out of 26 patients in Ba To District. It is known to cause typhus among other diseases. Viet Nam News called the office of the US's Center for Diseases Control in Ha Noi only to be told to seek … [Read more...] about SOCIAL NEWS IN BRIEF 6/5