What IS VX, How It Works, What Are Its Symptoms And Treatment

It is confirmed North Korean dictator’s estranged half-brother Kim Jong Nam was assassinated by world’s deadliest chemical weapon VX.

In a press statement released by the Royal Malaysia Police it is learned the VX nerve agent was found on the eyes and face of the victim. It is alleged he was attacked by two women at the departure area of Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13.

The eldest sibling of Kim Jong Un died while being transported to the hospital.

What is VX

United Nations has classified the VX as the most deadliest chemical weapon on Earth and just a microscopic amount of it is enough to kill a man. It is similar to pesticides if looked at how it works, but is more potent. It is odorless and tasteless. It has the color of amber and was man-made.

How VX Works

The chemical enters the body through skin or inhalation and is thereafter inhaled fastest through lungs. It is highly lethal and the symptoms take from minutes to hours to show.

Symptoms of VX

Cough, diarrhea, drooling, drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, excessive sweating, headache, running nose, watery eyes, vomiting, weakness, nausea, rapid breathing and increased urination are some of the symptoms of VX exposure.

If the exposure is of little large doze, the victim may experience lots of consciousness, paralysis, convulsions and respiratory failure. Death occurs within 15 minutes after exposure to VX.

Treatment Against VX Exposure

Removing the toxin from the body to the earliest is required first and thereafter provide medical care in a hospital setting. Antidote is administered by injecting and it should be immediate. Health experts believe the two women who are alleged to have attacked Nam with VX were given the antidote.

Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a leading toxicologist who heads the forensic medicine division at the University of Florida, said VX is a very, very toxic nerve agent.

Where VX is found

The chemical was first found in 1950s by a British researcher while experimenting for pesticides. The ‘V’ here is for ‘venom’ and ‘X’ is for ‘X series.’ Under the Chemical Weapons Convention it is completely banned, but North Korea has never signed the international treaty and has spent decades in developing a complex chemical weapons program that has worried South Korea and the international community for long.