VietNamNet Bridge – A toxic chemical called warfarin - an anti-K vitamin, anticoagulant substance - was found in the blood of two patients of non-stop bleeding syndrome in Bac Giang province. Many kinds of rat poison sold in Vietnam contain this substance.

Many people suffer from non-stop bleeding, suspected of poisoning

The finding was made by the National Academy of Science and Technology of Vietnam. Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai from the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion said that the test result shows that the nine patients in Bac Giang were poisoned with warfarin, but the sources of poisoning has not been determined because the poison can enter the body through multiple paths.

"The biggest risk is from drinking water. In Tan Yen, Bac Giang where there are nine patients of irregular bleeding disorders, some families used rat poison. Many kinds of rat poison on the market contain warfarin. The rats died of poison might infect the water resources. We are awaiting the test results of water and soil samples," Dr. Mai said.

Experts also assumed that the patients were poisoned with super warfarin – which is more toxic than warfarin.

Warfarin is the anticoagulant used for heart patients, people with high risk of thrombosis. Normally, people who use this medicine are only poisoned over several days until warfarin is eliminated from the body.

The patients from Bac Giang were poisoned repeatedly and they needed higher dose of treatment than the usual dose.

Investigation of the irregular bleeding disorders in Bac Giang is underway.

P. Linh