Mysterious illness causes 300 people to tremble uncontrollably

According to health officials, the disease is known locally as Dinga Dinga – “shaking like dancing”. The disease affects about 300 people, mainly women and girls. The common symptom is tremors throughout the body, making it difficult for the patient to move, Ugandan media reported on December 15.

Dr. Kiyita Christopher, Bundibugyo health officer, announced that no cases of the disease have been recorded in areas outside this locality. Patient samples were collected and sent to the Ministry of Health for analysis, but results are currently not available.

According to Dr. Christopher, this disease was first reported in 2023, but authorities in this country have not found the cause. One patient, Patience Katusiime, recalled her experience with the disease. She said her body kept shaking uncontrollably and felt paralyzed every time she walked.

However, doctors reassured that so far there have been no deaths and the disease can be treated with antibiotics. Many patients have tried using herbal medicine to treat each symptom, but medical experts advise against it.

“We are using specific treatment methods and patients usually recover within a week. I urge local people to go to medical facilities in the district for examination instead of self-treatment at home,” Mr. Christopher said. more.

News of the disease comes amid an outbreak of monkeypox in Uganda and other East African countries. In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a new strain of monkeypox a global public health emergency. Officials said the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries posed “international concern” – the WHO’s highest alert level.

Recently, Congo also recorded cases of strange diseases in Panzi district, a remote area in the southwest, about 684 km from the capital Kinshasa. Most cases are in children under 14 years old. The country’s Ministry of Health said 143 patients died.

WHO sent a team of experts to support, present in Panzi from November 30 after many days of difficult travel due to the rainy season and telecommunications restrictions. The area also has high rates of malnutrition and low vaccination coverage, making children susceptible to many diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, and measles.