$Unique_ID{BRK00399}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases}
$Title{What is "Laughing Death"}
$Subject{laughing death virus kuru}
$Volume{N-1}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is "Laughing Death"


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QUESTION:  I don't know how you come up with all the information, but I think
this one may test you just a bit.  It is a disease called "the laughing death"
and I became aware of it while serving in our Armed Forces.  With just this as
a clue, what can you tell me about this condition?

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ANSWER:  Obviously, if I couldn't come up with an answer, I just would not
include your question in the column.  Honestly it has taken a bit of looking
to find out the information about a disease called "kuru" which only occurs in
the Fore tribe of the Papua region in eastern New Guinea.  The best guess as
to its cause is that it results from a viral infection by a "slow" or
retro-virus that causes wide spread changes in the brain, and may have an
incubation period as long as 30 years.  Other theories that cited toxic or
nutritional factors as the cause seem improbable.  It occurs most frequently
in children and adult women, who suffer involuntary trembling and jerking
(ataxia) of the leg muscles, incoordination then spreading to the arms,
slurred speech, incontinence, finally are incapable of making sounds or
swallowing.  As a degenerative disease of the central nervous system it causes
about 70% of the female deaths in this tribe, and may be due in part to the
ritual cannibalism practiced by the women and children.  There is no known
cure, and the affliction has never been identified ouside of this area,
although it can be transmitted to chimpanzees.  The incidence of the disease
has declined with the cessation of cannibalistic rituals.  The term "laughing
death" is not commonly used and possibly refers to the state of dementia that
may occur shortly before death.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
