Cambodians take care of their children being treated at a Phnom Penh hospital in September 2006. Hundreds of people have been struck down with what medical officials say is a mass poisoning in a former Khmer Rouge stronghold in Cambodia's northwest.(AFP/File/Tang Chhin Sothy)Hundreds struck by mystery poisoning in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Hundreds of people have been struck down with what medical officials say is a mass poisoning in a former Khmer Rouge stronghold in Cambodia's northwest.
At least six of the more than 600 affected have lost their sight, while the others remain ill with stomach cramps, fever and diarrhea after drinking from a nearby pond that is the main source of water, provincial health department officials told AFP.
"The pond is important for their daily life because it's the only water resource," said Dr Chhum Vannarith.
"They are now facing difficulties due to the lack of water," he added.
It remains unclear why the villagers became ill. Chhum Vannarith said it could have been a natural occurrence, but did not rule out the possibility that someone had poisoned the pond.
Phu Sitha, the chief of the afflicted Bos Thom village, some 400 kilometers (248 miles) northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, told AFP that people have used water from the pond since 1997.
This was the first time they had had any problems, he said of the some 180 families living in the impoverished area, which is home to many former Khmer Rouge fighters.
"It's the first time in our history ... now villagers don't have enough water to use or even drink, which may affect their health," he said.
Hundreds of ducks, which also use the pond, appear unaffected, he said.
At least six of the more than 600 affected have lost their sight, while the others remain ill with stomach cramps, fever and diarrhea after drinking from a nearby pond that is the main source of water, provincial health department officials told AFP.
"The pond is important for their daily life because it's the only water resource," said Dr Chhum Vannarith.
"They are now facing difficulties due to the lack of water," he added.
It remains unclear why the villagers became ill. Chhum Vannarith said it could have been a natural occurrence, but did not rule out the possibility that someone had poisoned the pond.
Phu Sitha, the chief of the afflicted Bos Thom village, some 400 kilometers (248 miles) northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, told AFP that people have used water from the pond since 1997.
This was the first time they had had any problems, he said of the some 180 families living in the impoverished area, which is home to many former Khmer Rouge fighters.
"It's the first time in our history ... now villagers don't have enough water to use or even drink, which may affect their health," he said.
Hundreds of ducks, which also use the pond, appear unaffected, he said.
3 comments:
WARNING :
Those are the same tricks that Youns (Vietnam) uses against Khmer Kampuchea Krom one year ago to make their sight lost
Please Investigate it as soon as possible
Many hundred of Kampuchea Krom people have lost sight by vietnam goverment last year and can not be cured
Now Youns (vietnamese) put that in application in Cambodia
Please Cambodia government and NGO investigate it as soon as possible
Hey! This is very fishy story to have a massive illness like after drinking water for 10years.
Poisoning is more likely. Is there mining or any industrial wastes dump nearby. Benzene cause birth defect, death if absorbed high dose. HunSen probably have secret contract with Vietnam/Thailand/others to permit industrial in Cambodia. Looked what they did to the Rainforest! 10 more years, Cambodia will become the Land Fills for the World.
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