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Konzo Disease in West Nile Region of Uganda Background Konzo disease or tropical ataxic neuropathy is a paralytic disease that has been attributed to consumption of poorly processed bitter type of cassava resulting in dietary cyanide exposure. The disease condition was first described by Trolli in 1936 in the DR Congo It is characterized by abrupt onset of isolated symmetrical spastic paraparesis which is permanent but non progressive. Method The Orthopaedic Department – Makerere University, conducts outreach visits to the different regions of Uganda targeting mainly children with physical disabilities. 154 children had corrective surgeries for their limb deformities in Arua hospital West Nile region between July 2002 and October 2004 of these 26 had bilateral equinous deformities of their legs due to Konzo disease. Conclusion There is little written in our medical text books about Konzo disease though it is affecting our people, most times it is diagnosed and children with Konzo disease are rarely taken to hospital since parents mistake it for witchcraft. While Uganda and other countries in the region are fighting to get rid of diseases like Polio Konzo disease had escaped attention of clinicians and policy makers as well. |
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