Unknown illness in Angola – Update. WHO,Nov. 21, 2007.The investigation of an outbreak of unknown origin in Angola has revealed extremely high levels of bromide in plasma sampled from several affected patients. As of 19 November 2007, over 390 cases had been identified and treated at the Municipal Hospital in Cacuaco. About 64% of those affected are children below 15 years old. Toxicological tests carried out in Munich, Germany, detected very high levels of bromide in 5 out of 6 plasma samples taken from affected patients. Bromide intoxication has been one of the working hypotheses being explored by WHO and partners as a cause of the outbreak. [ See ]. Image from Wikipedia. See in CNN.com: 400 sickened by bromide poisoning in Angola. See in BBCnews: Bromide linked to Angola illness

"Bromide was once used as a sedative and an effective anticonvulsant, and until 1975 it was a major ingredient in over-the-counter products such as Bromo-Seltzer™ and Dr. Miles’ Nervine™. Bromism (chronic bromide intoxication) was once common, accounting for as many as 5–10% of admissions to psychiatric hospitals. Bromism is now rare, although bromides occasionally are used to treat epilepsy. Bromide is still found in photographic chemicals, as the bromide salt or another constituent of numerous medications, in some well water, in bromide-containing hydrocarbons (eg, methyl bromide, ethylene dibromide, halothane), and in some soft drinks containing brominated vegetable oil. Foods fumigated with methyl bromide may contain some residual bromide, but the amounts are too small to cause toxicity…."
Short Text from:  Poisoning & Drug Overdose, 5th Ed.