Asian mystery illness

The past couple of days I have read a couple articles http://www.recombinomics.com/News/07280801/Mystery_Shandong.html , http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/jul/jul26/news03.php , about a mysterious new (?) disease in China and Nepal that kills within hours. The victims bleed from the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. Very scary. Every time I read about a deadly disease I wonder how long it will take to get here.
A couple years ago someone I know died within 2 days with the very same symptoms. Cause of death: unknown. Possibly a toxic reaction related to his heroin abuse. He never made the news. Maybe this "new" disease is not so new after all. But what is it? I'm pretty sure that UCSF is light years ahead of the nearest hospital in either Nepal or rural China. I hope they at least identify it soon.