A MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS
The wind that blows from northeast China to Japan could be carrying something that makes Japanese children sick. It only happens at certain times of the year and mostly affects the very young. Why?
Scientists say that the wind could be carrying a toxin that causes the mysterious Kawasaki disease. It occurs worldwide but is most common in Japan. It causes fever, rash, peeling fingernails and, sometimes, a dangerous condition in the blood vessels leading to the heart.
Studies have found that Kawasaki disease cases happened most when winds blew from a huge cereal-farming area in northeastern China. Scientists then decided to test the air over Japan, using a plane carrying special equipment. They detected mostly Candida, an airborne fungus that causes human fungal infections.
Winds blowing over grain farms in China could be carrying toxins to Japan that cause Kawasaki disease. Flickr user James Watkins
Scientists are guessing that some sort of airborne toxin or molecule that could be related to Candida may be picked up by the winds blowing over grain farms in northeastern China. When it reaches children who are especially sensitive to the toxins, it may make them sick.
There is no vaccine for Kawasaki disease which occurs most often in boys than girls, but it is not contagious and most children recover within a few weeks.
Featured image source: Flickr user Woodleywonderworks
