Mysterious Nodding Syndrome Spreading Through Uganda

Baffling “Nodding syndrome” spreading through Uganda

In northern Uganda, large areas are experiencing an outbreak of nodding syndrome, a mysterious disease that causes young children and adolescents to nod violently when they eat food. The syndrome may be an unusual form of epilepsy that might be linked to the parasitic worm responsible for river blindness.

The recent outbreaks affected the districts of Kitgum, Pader and Gulu. In Pader alone, 66 children and teenagers have died. More than 1000 cases were diagnosed between August and mid-December.

Nearly all the children with nodding syndrome are thought to live near permanent rivers which may connect the syndrome to river blindness. Onchocerca volvulus, a nematode worm that causes river blindness, is known to infest all three affected districts.

Scott Dowell, who researches pediatric infectious diseases and is lead investigator into nodding syndrome with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that we know that [Onchocerca volvulus] is involved in some way, but it is a little puzzling because [the worm] is fairly common in areas that do not have nodding disease.

Despite the unknown cause and cure for syndrome, Uganda's Ministry of Health has begun using anticonvulsants such as sodium valproate to treat its signs and symptoms.

It has now reached the borders the Republic of South Sudan. Since gaining independence from the rest of Sudan in July, South Sudan has remained on track to eradicate one of humanity's oldest diseases — guinea worm.

Posted by George Daniels on Thursday December 29 2011, 4:50 AM EDT. Ref: Scott Dowell, et al. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0