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Konzo Outbreak, in the South-West of the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1996 | Journal Article / Research | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Research

Konzo Outbreak, in the South-West of the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1996

Bonmarin I, Nunga M, Perea W
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Abstract
In August 1996, cases of poliomyelitis were reported in Kahemba zone, in the south-west of the Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo. The diagnosis was reviewed and charged to Konzo, a spastic paraparesis attributed to food cyanide intoxication. In order to describe the phenomena, a community-based survey took place and found 237 people affected. The highest prevalence was found in the most isolated part of the zone. The patients suffered from an isolated non-progressive spastic paraparesis of abrupt onset. Children and women were the most affected groups, especially women after childbirth. Most of the patients developed the disease after 1990 with 101 cases in 1996. Cassava processing was the same over time and in all the villages. The study did not fully explain the increased number of cases in 1996 but suggested that complementary investigations regarding micronutrient intakes, especially vitamin A, would be necessary.

Subject Area

outbreaks

Languages

English
Published Date
01 Aug 2002
PubMed ID
12200986
Journal
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics