[Outbreak of konzo disease in health region No. 2 of the Central African Republic].
BACKGROUND
Konzo is a neuromyelopathy characterized by permanent spastic paraparesis, linked to a subacute poisoning by cyanide found in cassava. The purpose of the study is to describe the epidemiological aspects of konzo in health region No. 2 in the Central African Republic.


METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients collected during a one-month period (July 16 to August 16, 2007) of active surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis.


RESULTS
Eighty-one cases of konzo were identified during the study period, representing a prevalence of 10 per 100,000. Mean age of patients was 10.7+/-7.7 years. Children and women were most affected. The main warning signs were fatigability (97.6%), tremor (88.9%), walking difficulty (100.0%), dysarthria (67.9%) and a loss of visual acuity (65.4%). The predominant neurological signs were lower limb paresis (90.0%) and hyperesthesia (66.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Konzo is a serious public health problem in this region of the Central African Republic. A prevention program should be set-up.
Mbelesso
P
P
Service de neurologie, hôpital de l'Amitié, Bangui, République centrafricaine.
Yogo
M-L
ML
Yangatimbi
E
E
Paul-Sénékian
V de
Vd
Nali
N M
NM
Preux
P-M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D002488:Central African Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D006941:Hyperesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D002365:Manihot / Q000506:poisoning*; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity