Angola: Mass Bromide Poisoning.WHO, March 21,  2008. An outbreak of acute neurological disease of unknown origin occurred in Cacuaco municipality, Luanda Province, Angola from October to December 2007. Symptoms included drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, weakness and difficulties in speaking and walking. Following the Angolan Ministry of Health (MINSA)’s request for support, WHO Country Office conducted initial investigations on 24 October and 30 October. Symptoms observed suggested that the disease might be of toxic origin but the exact cause could not be identified. See previous related news (Image from this article).

Iraq: Thallium Poisoning. WHO, Feb.18,  2008. On 21 January, in Baghdad, 2 families comprising a total of 13 people became ill after consuming cake given as a gift to board members of the Iraqi aviation club. On 27 January the WHO Representative of Iraq was notified that the Poison Laboratory in Baghdad had detected thallium in specimens taken from patients and the cake that had been consumed by the two families. Patients were transferred to Amman, Jordan for hospital care.On 30 January 2008 a formal request was made by the Iraq Ministry of Health to WHO for assistance in procuring Prussian blue to treat the patients, and toxicological analyses to monitor the treatment. Since Prussian blue was not available in the region WHO immediately arranged for its supply from the UK and Germany. [ See ]. See also related link in the same page.