Mysterious skin disease killed 19 in Vietnam, seek international help

HANOI, Vietnam (Sat, Apr. 21) – The mysterious viral skin infection has killed 19 in Vietnam since it was first reported exactly one year ago in April 2011. More than 170 other people have been registered during last year who are suffering severe medical complications due to this mysterious disease. 

Mysterious skin disease killed 19 in Vietnam, seek international help

Most of the cases have been reported from the Ba To District, which is one of the poorest in the country. The symptoms include a severe rash and ulcers on the skin, as well as high fever that ultimately leads to liver problems and organ failure. 

The mysterious illness was thought to be died out after killing 11 people last year; but apparently it has come back with even more forcefully and 8 deaths are reported only in the last month; while 68 new cases have come under spotlight. 

Vietnamese health ministry officials have requested formally to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control to investigate the cause of this mysterious infection and to take appropriate step to stop it from spreading to the other parts of the country.

Sukkur-born miracle boy with six legs named 'Umar Farooq' after successful operation at NICH, Karachi

KARACHI, Pakistan (Fri, Apr 20) – Sukkur-born infant with six legs was successfully operated at National Institute of Child Health (NICH) in Karachi, Pakistan yesterday.

Sukkur-born miracle boy with six legs named 'Umar Farooq' after successful operation at NICH, Karachi

The doctors had decided to go for surgery after they established that the baby actually did not have six legs, but had got extra limbs of conjoined twins, and they were successful in removing the extra limbs.

The head of the NICH, Jamal Raza, said the abnormal birth was the result of a genetic disease which would affect only one in a million or more babies. “It was strange that apparently an abnormal baby with six legs was as normal as other children,” he said.

According to earlier reports, father of the baby, Imran Sheikh, is an X-ray technician whose meager salary of 6,000 Pakistani rupees a month was impossible to cater for his son’s treatment at the hospital. He appealed to philanthropists and the government of Pakistan to help his baby boy. Pakistan Baitul Mal – a charity organization in Pakistan – helped the poor family for their child’s treatment. The family also collected some money from their own sources while the major help was tended by the Baitul Mal.

 

Father of the baby boy said after the surgery, “We are a poor family. I am thankful to the government and doctors for helping us successful operating my baby.”

 He said they have thought to name their son ‘Umar Farooq’.

The heartening news of this boy’s successful surgery spread like jungle fire in Pakistan. Thankfully, this boy would be able to live a normal life with two legs.

 

Report Tags: Imran Sheikh, Six-legged boy, Sukkur-born boy with six legs, Umar Farooq, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, conjoined twins

Medical Mystery or Miracle -- Exclusive Video: Six-legged baby boy born in Sukkur (Sindh, Pakistan)

SUKKUR, Pakistan (Wed, Apr 18) – The miraculous baby boy with six legs born to an X-ray technician, resident of Sukkur (Sindh), is being treated at National Institute of the Child Health in Karachi and the doctors are trying their best to save his life while bringing him to normal by operating the extra limbs. 

Medical Mystery or Miracle -- Six-legged baby boy born in Sukkur

 According to Mr Jamal Raza, the director of the Institute, the unnamed infant has a unusual genetic condition. "It is not one baby actually. They are two, one of them is premature," he said.

The special baby boy was born to the wife of Imran Sheikh almost a week ago in the town of Sukkur, around 450km (280 miles) north of Karachi.

Dr Ishratul Ebad, Governor of Sindh, instructed concerned officials to ensure every possible assistance for the treatment of the baby boy.

"We are a poor family. I am thankful to the government for helping us treating my baby," Imran Sheikh told the media.

"The doctors are examining the infant to plan for necessary treatment to save the baby's life and ensure he lives a normal life," said a statement from the provincial health department.

Watch Video of the special baby boy below: