A mysterious illness that has reportedly left patients shaking uncontrollably is spreading across Uganda, in a case that has left doctors baffled.
The disease, which locals call Dinga Dinga, which translates to “tremble like dancing,” has already affected about 300 people, mostly women and girls, according to health officials.
The enigmatic disease, confirmed in Bundibugyo district of Uganda, causes fever and excessive shaking of the body, making walking difficult for those suffering from Dinga Dinga.
Dr Kiyita Christopher, the district health officer, informed local media that no cases had been recorded in nearby areas outside the Bundibugyo region and samples had been submitted to the Ministry of Health for analysis.
The doctor also reassured that no fatalities have been reported from the disease and that it can usually be treated with antibiotics.
Many patients have tried herbal remedies in an attempt to combat their symptoms, but this has been strongly discouraged by the healthcare provider.
“There is no scientific evidence that herbal medicine can treat this disease,” he said.
‘We use specific treatments and patients usually recover within a week.
The disease that locals call Dinga Dinga, which translates to ‘shaking like dancing’, has already affected about 300 people
It is mainly women and girls who are affected by the mysterious disease
The disease was first reported in 2023 and continues to be investigated by health laboratories
“I urge locals to seek treatment at health facilities in the district,” he added.
Christopher told the Ugandan newspaper: Monitorthat the mysterious illness was first reported in early 2023 and is still being investigated by health laboratories.
One patient, Patience Katusiime, recalled her experience with the disease, noting that her body continued to shake uncontrollably despite feeling paralyzed.
“I felt weak and paralyzed, with my body shaking uncontrollably when I tried to walk,” she said.
It was very disturbing. I was taken to Bundibugyo Hospital for treatment and thank God I am fine now.”
It comes just months after an outbreak of monkeypox was reported in Uganda and other East African states.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the extremely deadly variant of the disease, also known as mpox, a global public health emergency in August.
Officials said an outbreak of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighboring countries constituted “international concern” – the WHO’s highest alert level.
The hope was to speed up research and roll out vaccines to contain the virus, which is more contagious and several times deadlier than the virus that caused the 2022 global outbreak.
A local Ugandan doctor assured that no fatalities have been reported due to the disease and that the disease can usually be treated with antibiotics
It comes just months after an outbreak of monkeypox was reported in Uganda and other East African states
According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 17,000 suspected cases of monkeypox and more than 517 deaths have been reported on the African continent alone this year.
This is an increase of 160 percent compared to the same period last year.
Mpox caused an international epidemic in 2022 when it spread to more than 100 countries and killed hundreds of people – including 58 Americans.
No deaths were recorded in Britain, but several thousand Britons became infected.
The WHO recommends a vaccine within four days of contact with someone who has the virus or within a maximum of fourteen days if there are no symptoms.
Healthcare workers and men who have sex with men are advised to get a vaccine even if they have not had exposure to MPox.
Symptoms of mpox include rash, skin lesions, fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
It is spread through physical contact such as kissing or sex, animals when cooking, contaminated materials and pregnant women who can spread it to a fetus.
There is no direct cure for mpox, but doctors try to treat its symptoms, including clearing the rash and controlling pain.