In the realm of rare and debilitating illnesses, one disease stands out as particularly sinister: Kuru. This devastating condition is known as a brain-eating disease, but it is incredibly rare. Learn everything you should know about Kuru disease here.
Kuru: The World’s Deadliest Disease with a Near 100% Fatality Rate
Kuru is categorized as a prion disease, notorious for its almost 100% fatality rate. Thanks to increased awareness, the occurrence of Kuru is now essentially non-existent. It was mainly limited to regions like New Guinea. Let’s explore the world of prion diseases, the types, and dive into Kuru: its origins, transmission, and decline. (1)
What Are Prion Diseases?
Prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are rare and fatal disorders caused by misfolded proteins called prions. Unlike typical infectious diseases, prion diseases induce abnormal folding in normal proteins, resulting in neurological degeneration over time. These diseases have long incubation periods followed by rapid cognitive and physical decline.
Types of Prion Diseases
Apart from Kuru, there are five other well-known prion diseases:
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
- Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD)
- Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI)
- Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Syndrome (GSS)
- Sporadic Fatal Insomnia (sFI)
Each disease varies in symptoms, onset, and transmission. CJD is the most common, accounting for 85% of cases and can be sporadic or hereditary.
Understanding Kuru Disease
Kuru, known as “the laughing sickness,” was discovered in the 1950s among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. Transmitted through cannibalistic practices, mainly brain consumption, Kuru affected women and children in specific communities.
Transmission and Prevalence
Kuru’s transmission was linked to cultural practices within the Fore population, spread through infected brain tissue consumption. Symptoms include tremors, unsteady gait, muscle stiffness, and progressive dementia leading to death within a year.
Decline of Kuru
As awareness grew, efforts were made to end cannibalistic practices, leading to a decline in Kuru. In 1957, Australia banned cannibalism in affected areas, contributing to the disease’s rarity today.
The Bottom Line
Kuru, once prevalent, is now nearly eradicated due to public health initiatives and education. While prion diseases pose a risk, Kuru’s decline shows the potential for eliminating devastating diseases.
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Sources
- “Prion Diseases.” Hopkins Medicine
- “Kuru.” NCBI. Sanjay Mahat and Ria Monica D. Asuncion. May 29, 2023.
