Children Dying in Cambodia

Last night I posted a brief discussion of an article found in the Wall Street Journal about children dying in Cambodia from some inexplicable illness.
http://majiasblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/wsj-cambodia-probes-children-deaths.html?showComment=1341601169571#c1388710063753008060

Here is the relevant excerpt:

"Cambodia Probes Child Deaths" Wall Street Journal July 5, 2012 p. A7, by P. Barta:

"Cambodian and international health officials are investigating an unexplained disease that has killed more than 60 children since early April..."

The article describes the illness as an "unknown respiratory disease involving neurological symptoms..."

Of 62 children admitted to the hospital, only 1 survived.

Bobby1 posted the following comment:
"This Japanese post suggests the children ate sardines and mackerel imported from Japan as part of school lunches."
http://alcyone-sapporo.blogspot.com/2012/07/blog-post_6818.html

I followed this link to the blog spot and there found a reference to an article discussing how fish from Japan are being processed in contaminated areas and that these fish are being sent to Cambodia and other places as part of the World Food Program.

Here is the link to the Japanese news article http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/news/120330/trd12033007550001-n1.htm

Here is the link to a google translated version of the article: http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsankei.jp.msn.com%2Flife%2Fnews%2F120330%2Ftrd12033007550001-n1.htm&act=url

Here is an excerpt from this google translation of an MSN article:

2012.3.30 07:54

[excerpt ] Government, in order to get food to people in developing countries the processed marine products are manufactured in the affected areas of earthquake East, replace the letter of official development assistance related to (ODA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) of United Nations agencies. Through food aid, but reputational damage leading to elimination of the affected areas and industrial development of water sources said.

 

Canned in spring water, such as mackerel and sardines on hand based on the 1.0 billion yen the government has budgeted the third supplementary FY 2011, WFP has been produced in processing plants and fisheries of the four prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, Ibaraki, Chiba raised. To get help, such as school meals in five countries including Cambodia. Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Toshiyuki Kato was highlighted in the ceremony of exchanging letters, "fish processing company in the disaster area were severely damaged, is making efforts towards the resumption of full operation and".

ODA over this, some opposition and civic groups concerned about the impact of a nuclear accident of TEPCO Fukushima. Senior Foreign Ministry official explained that "By testing the radiation dose, which do not have to export safety problems, you want to aim to break down the persistent rumors abroad damage" and.

Majia here: The possibility that children in Cambodia might be consuming radioactive fish from Japan must be investigated. 

Cambodia is a poor country. My guess is that many children would not be brought to the hospital until they are very ill, making it too late to save them.