The disease, which primarily targets women and girls, presents symptoms including high fever and severe body tremors that significantly impair movement
In Uganda’s Bundibugyo district, health authorities have confirmed the outbreak of a mysterious disease, being locally referred to as “Dinga Dinga,” which means “shaking like dancing.”
According to The Monitor, more than 300 people have come down with this disease, the majority of whom are women and girls. No cases have been reported in the neighbouring districts so far.
What is ‘Dinga Dinga’?
The condition, which is predominantly impacting females, has been characterised by fever and excessive body shaking that severely hampers mobility, IANS reported.
The mysterious disease, first reported early last year, has since remained under investigation, said District Health Officer Dr Kiyita Christopher. He added that samples have been sent to the Ministry of Health laboratories for further analysis.
According to Christopher, it is a self-healing illness in most of the cases, adding that no deaths have been recorded so far.
“There is no scientific evidence that herbal medicine can treat this disease. We are using specific treatments, and patients usually recover within a week. I urge locals to seek treatment from health facilities within the district,” he stated.
Health experts worldwide have even compared this latest outbreak with the ‘Dancing Plague’ phenomenon of 1518 in Strasbourg, France. At that time, people uncontrollably danced for days and sometimes it even led to exhaustion-related deaths.
