Nodding Disease Baffles Experts
Children living in northern Uganda, regions of South Sudan, and regions of Tanzania are dying from a mysterious disease. Nodding disease, which is usually fatal and incurable, attacks children ranging from 5 to 15 years of age. Nodding disease began to surface in the 1960′s.
Very few children ever recover from Nodding syndrome, and the victims are faced with very debilitating symptoms. The effects include physical and mental stunted growth. Mental retardation and malnourishment are common among patients.
Oddly enough, after a child has routinely eaten a familiar food, it will begin to have an epileptic seizure. Nodding seizures often lead to unconsciousness, creating a great degree of vulnerability for the child.
The seizures vary in severity, are unpredictable, and potentially very harmful to the children. Sufferers often fall and are confused afterwards.
There are few clues and many questions. The African outbreak is stumping the experts and the cause is unknown.
Nodding disease is spreading, posing a very serious threat to the citizens of East Africa.
