Doctors have first clue in Cambodia child disease mystery Scientists in Cambodia have said they have identified the mystery virus that has killed dozens of children in the past three months. The Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, announced on Sunday that tests indicate the unknown illness that has led to the deaths of 64 children and hospitalisation of 66 is the Enterovirus 71.
The virus is a strain of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) that is widespread in Asia, but not usually found in Cambodia.
HFMD is a human ailment caused by intestinal viruses, and not to be mistaken for foot-and-mouth disease, which only affects animals. Symptoms include high fever, rashes, respiratory and sometimes neurological problems.
Out of the 66 children hospitalised, the two patients that lived were treated only by Kantha Bopha staff, suggesting that botched medical treatment may be a factor.
All the children have encephalitis and in the later hours of their life they develop a severe pneumonia with a destruction of the alveoli in the lungs. The alveoli, or air sacs, are pockets in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
There is no known cure for the Enterovirus, but doctors recommend good hygiene especially for young children.
The UN health body and Cambodian officials have urged parents to bring their sick children to hospital if they see any signs of an unusual illness.
There have been no cases reported outside Cambodia so far.