Mystery of killer disease uncovered

MANILA, Philippines—The World Health Organization has finally uncovered the so-called “mystery disease” that has claimed the lives of more than 50 children in Cambodia. It’s a deadlier form of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) not encephalitis.

In a statement issued Friday, the WHO said it has been established at the conclusion of a joint investigation that a severe strain of Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) causing HFMD had caused the illnesses and deaths in the Southeast Asian country that began in April.

It disputed an earlier announcement by the Department of Health that the disease plaguing Cambodia was of the encephalitis type and not HFMD.

No fatal cases have been reported yet in the Philippines.