Dad issues statement after 'happy and healthy' son, 5, dies after developing rare disease on holiday

A dad whose son died after developing a rare disease while on holiday has spoken out to say how much he misses his 'super sweet' child and wanted other parents to be aware of the dangers.

ABC reports that five-year-old Justin Vu was on a trip to Oregon with his mum Terese Peden when he suddenly fell ill and was diagnosed with systemic capillary leak syndrome, also known as Clarkson's disease or Clarkson's syndrome.

It's a very rare disease, especially for children, and it causes blood plasma to leak from small blood vessels into the tissue of the body, which can result in organ failure and death.

"Justin was a happy and healthy little boy," Justin's dad Viet said as he described his family's shock and sorrow at their tragic loss.

"He was playing T-ball. He ran around and played outside all the time. And out of nowhere, he's gone now. And it just doesn't really make any sense."

Five-year-old Justin suddenly fell ill while on holiday with his family, he was diagnosed with systemic capillary leak syndrome (GoFundMe)

Viet said that his son had been fine until the fourth day of the holiday when he started complaining about his stomach and then started vomiting.

The boy was taken to hospital and doctors initially thought Justin might have appendicitis or an infection.

The dad said: "They thought they were dealing with an infection since he had inflammation inside his body and fluid built up, because that's one of the signs of infection."

Justin was given medication and put in intensive care, by the time his dad got from Denver to Oregon he 'didn't get a chance to hear his voice or talk to him again'.

The five-year-old died on 8 July, five days after he was first admitted to hospital, and his family have been left without answers as to how this happened.

Justin died five days after being hospitalised and his family don't understand how this has happened (GoFundMe)

"We don't know why or how Justin got sick," Vu said.

"I don't understand why he was taken from us because he didn't deserve any of that.

"He was a good boy and he was loved. None of this makes sense because he was only 5 years old. He didn't have a chance to grow up and grow into the person that I know he could be."

Viet said that other parents 'need to know about this invisible disease that has no real signs' because he was 39 and had never heard of it before.

A GoFundMe has been established for Justin's family to pay for hospital bills and funeral expenses, and while it has reached its goal donations are still available.