Delhi, December 19, 2024: After the COVID-19 pandemic, it is natural to be concerned when hearing about a mysterious disease. Currently, the mysterious disease ‘Dinga Dinga’ is a topic of concern. This disease has emerged in Uganda, Africa, and is making headlines due to its mysterious nature. ‘Dinga Dinga’ translates to ‘dance and shake.’
This mysterious illness primarily affects women and girls in Uganda’s Bundibugyo district. It causes uncontrollable vibrations in the body, making walking and moving difficult. Hundreds of people, mostly women and children, have fallen victim to this illness. Although no deaths have been reported so far, local media reports indicate that the disease is rapidly spreading in the African country, and health officials are working to determine its causes.
Symptoms of Dinga-Dinga:
According to a report by Firstpost English, this strange disease, which first appeared in Uganda’s Bundibugyo district, has several concerning symptoms. The most notable is excessive body movement, resembling dancing. Victims also experience high fever, extreme weakness, and in some cases, paralysis. Local media reports state that it has become nearly impossible for affected people to walk due to uncontrollable vibrations making movement difficult.
A patient named Katusime shared his personal experience with the disease, describing how his body trembled uncontrollably despite feeling paralyzed. The 18-year-old told Uganda’s Monitor newspaper, “I felt weak and paralyzed. Whenever I tried to walk, my body would shake uncontrollably. It was very distressing.” He added, “I was taken to Bundibugyo hospital for treatment, and thank God, I am now fine.”
300 Cases Reported of Dinga Dinga Disease
So far, the disease has been confirmed only in Bundibugyo, Uganda, with nearly 300 reported cases. However, there have been no fatalities. The disease, first discovered in early 2023, is still under investigation. Health laboratories are working to identify its causes, and samples have been sent to Uganda’s Ministry of Health for further analysis. This outbreak came a few months after a new strain of Monkeypox was reported in Uganda and other East African countries, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the highly dangerous Clade 1B variant a global public health emergency. This strain has spread to other continents, with cases in Europe and Asia.
Treatment of Dinga Dinga:
District Health Officer Dr. Kiyeta Christopher mentioned that Dinga Dinga is typically treated with antibiotics provided by community health teams. However, some patients are turning to herbal treatments to alleviate symptoms. Dr. Christopher stated, “There is no scientific evidence that herbal medicine can cure this disease. We are using specific medicines, and patients generally recover within a week.”
Mysterious Disease in Congo:
While Uganda is grappling with Dinga Dinga, its neighboring country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is battling another mysterious disease, termed ‘Disease X’ by the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The DRC health department has reported 406 cases of this unknown disease in the Panzi region since late October. Sadly, at least 79 deaths have been confirmed, mostly affecting children under the age of five. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, body aches, difficulty breathing, and a runny nose, with more severe cases linked to malnutrition and anemia.
Summary: Dinga Dinga, a mysterious disease in Uganda, affects hundreds, with symptoms like uncontrollable body movements. Congo faces a similar outbreak, causing fatalities, especially among children.