VILLAGERS in Kampong Speu and Kandal provinces have been attacked by a mysterious insect-borne skin condition that has stymied local health officials.

Ao Vanthen, director of the Kampong Speu Health Department, said Thursday that 70 families in Prey Kuy and Tuol Prich villages in the province’s Samraong district had broken out in strange spots and itches, originally assumed to be caused by insects.

“It is not a contagious disease. Spots come out and we become itchy immediately after we touch the insects,” he said.

Ly Svan, deputy director of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases, said the ministry still did not know what kind of disease was assailing the villagers, but that authorities are investigating it.

He said that according to preliminary investigations, the disease was “not very serious”.

Ao Vanthen said recent swarms of flies might be behind the skin ailment, counseling villagers to wash and clean themselves often to avoid the rashes. He said health officials were in the process of treating those who have previously been affected by the unknown condition.