Thousands of people in Africa, more specifically in Kitgum, Pader and Gulu areas of Uganda, are effected by a mysterious nodding disease. The disease affects mostly children and adolescents to nod violently as if seizing multiple time throughout each day. It effects children ages 5-15, symptoms dont normally show until age 5. These patients seem disoriented and unaware of surroundings when experiencing these episodes and is 40-100 times more common than epilepsy. Researchers know that the illness in linked to river blindness witch also effects about 18 million people of this area. It is unknown how the nodding disease is caused or how it is transmitted making the situation dangerous on a global level. I think that this is an important issue because it is most likely caused by a water related bacteria which is threatening to all connected bodies of water. Also, the disease is so mysterious and unknown while still so extreme which is a reason to be alarmed. There is no known treatment or cause and the disease is currently being treated as malnutrition and river blindness. This nodding syndrome needs to be addressed and taken care of before it spreads and becomes a pandemic.
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1121730--could-mysterious-nodding-disease-in-africa-have-global-implications?bn=1
2.9.12
1 comment:
It's nice to finally see a legitimate article approaching the problems of the world not the problems of celebrities and media. I read about this a while ago it's saddening to see I really hope the best for these people who suffer much more daily than many of us in our entire lives.
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