The East African landlocked country of Uganda has recently witnessed the outbreak of a mysterious illness. Patients experience weakness and fatigue throughout the body, and while walking, their bodies involuntarily tremble up and down, resembling 'dancing' from a distance. Local doctors are yet to identify the source of the illness, leaving them perplexed.
According to the Daily Mail, this strange illness is referred to locally as 'Dinga Dinga,' which means 'shaking like dancing.' Around 300 people have contracted the illness, most of whom are women and girls, currently centered in the western Bundibugyo District. When patients attempt to walk, their bodies uncontrollably shake, and they also exhibit symptoms of fever.
Local health officials have stated that samples from these cases have been submitted to the Ministry of Health for analysis. Currently, there have been no fatalities reported due to this disease, and officials indicate that the illness is generally treatable with antibiotics, with recovery typically taking about a week.
Local media reports that this mysterious illness was first discovered in early 2023, and its cause remains unknown.
A female patient recalled that during her illness, she felt weak all over, yet her body could not stop trembling uncontrollably. 'I felt weak and fatigued, and every time I tried to walk, my body trembled uncontrollably, which was very distressing.' Fortunately, she has now fully recovered after treatment.
In 2012, Uganda experienced another mysterious illness known as 'nodding syndrome,' which ultimately infected 3000 people and resulted in the deaths of approximately 200 individuals. The patients were primarily children and adolescents, and the cause remains unidentified to this day.
'Nodding syndrome' first appeared in South Sudan in the 1980s, and later had a massive outbreak in parts of Uganda, mainly affecting children and adolescents aged 5 to 15. Infected individuals would intermittently nod abnormally, especially when feeling cold or eating, and their hands would tremble continuously. In severe cases, patients would nod until they fainted, leading to further injury or even being fatal. Additionally, the brain development of patients could be hindered, resulting in intellectual disabilities.