The cause of the outbreak was determined to be the addition of excessive doses of copper sulfate to the water supply of Solomon Dam, which had been added to target a cyanobacteria bloom of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. The excessive dosing was following the use of least-cost contractors to control the algae, who were unqualified in the field. Toxins from the cyanobacteria itself had also been described as a possible cause. Early suggestions included toxocariasis.
Palm Island mystery disease
Tornwaldt's disease
Milroy's disease
Dieulafoy's lesion
Chandler's disease
Lev's disease
Riggs' disease
Dieterich's disease