-
news
-
Health
What is Dinga Dinga, the mysterious viral condition that has shocked women and girls in Uganda?
Health officials are extremely concerned about the outbreak of the Dinga Dinga virus, which is currently limited to Uganda’s Bundibugyo district, but experts are expecting new information in the coming days. Although the exact cause of the viral condition that causes fever and excessive shivering is unclear, doctors are actively working to identify the virus responsible. Here’s what we know.
The condition mainly affects women and girls, characterized by fever and excessive body shivering, hampering mobility.
A mysterious disease – locally called Dinga Dinga, meaning trembling like dancing – has wreaked havoc in Uganda, affecting more than 300 people in Bundibugyo district. According to health officials, the condition mainly affects women and girls fever and excessive body shiveringBarrier to mobility.
District Health Officer Dr. Kiyita Christopher said that the disease is currently continuing. treated with antibiotics delivered by community health teams, and no deaths have been reported.
“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 the local people to seek treatment from health facilities within the district,” he said.
Doctors say the tremors in the condition are so severe that it looks as if a person is dancing and walking has become almost impossible. In some cases, this leads to paralysis, making even simple activities difficult. Although it mostly affects women and girls, some men have also been affected.
Doctors say infected people are being treated with antibiotics, but recovery usually takes about a week or ten days.
symptoms similar to Dancing plague of 1518
Experts are comparing the outbreak to the “dancing plague” of 1518 in Strasbourg, France, where people danced uncontrollably for days, sometimes leading to exhaustion-related deaths.
According to the World Health Organization, about 400 individuals have been affected in the Panji health region, with 394 cases and 30 deaths.
Signs and Symptoms of Dinga Dinga
According to experts, some of the common signs and symptoms of Dinga Dinga include:
- Fever
- Headache
- cough
- runny nose
- body pain
Meanwhile, investigations are also underway to determine whether respiratory pathogens like influenza, COVID-19, malaria or measles are the cause, however, the disease remains unknown until laboratory results are available.
Uganda has a very poor record in terms of women’s health.
According to World Health Organization data, maternal mortality remains high in Uganda, with more than 400 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Most maternal deaths are caused by unsafe abortion, obstetric complications such as bleeding, infections, hypertensive disorders and disrupted deliveries, and pregnancy-related conditions such as malaria, diabetes, hepatitis and anemia.
In 2021, healthy life expectancy for women in Uganda was 58.9 years, representing an improvement of 15.4 years from 2000.
Should India be worried?
According to experts, at present Indians should not be worried about Dinga Dinga, because this disease is currently limited to only one district of Uganda.
However, doctors recommend that travelers should avoid Uganda now or have recently returned from abroad; They will have to undergo proper health checkup. Pay attention to symptoms like fever, weakness or shivering, consult a doctor immediately and maintain social distance.
As the investigation into the virus continues, health officials are keeping a close eye on the situation. The situation is a reminder of how quickly new diseases can emerge and spread. The appearance of Dinga Dinga suggests the importance of staying informed, following health recommendations and taking necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you.
Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.
