Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), also known as prion diseases, it is a form of brain degeneration. Slow , progressive , neurological degeneration which is fatal and up until now there is no cure of it. The prion disease Kuru was primarily found among the Fore people of the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. This disease was transmitted through ritualistic cannibalism, where individuals, particularly women and children, consumed the brains of deceased relatives as part of funeral practices, that was the start.
I had heard about this ritual and also seen a video regarding this. Well, they consumed brains and flesh from the deceased even if it was infested with maggots. Which was gruesome and unhealthy at the same time.
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Cannibalism is now decreasing in incidence.
It’s haunting how cultural practices led to such a tragic disease. Prion disorders remind us how mysterious and unforgiving brain illnesses can be.
Yes, Kuru disease spreads by cannibalism. When other ate brains they ingested the prions which caused the disease the develop in them even years later.
It is kuru disease that spread by eating brains of humans.
Kuru is a prion disease that affected the Fore people of Papua New Guinea.
It was transmitted through cannibalism, specifically eating deceased relatives’ brains.
The disease caused neurological symptoms like tremors and cognitive decline.
The Fore people believed consuming brains released spirits.
This practice led to transmission of infectious prions.
The Australian government banned cannibalism in the 1950s.
Since then, the disease has declined significantly.
Kuru is a rare example of prion disease transmission between humans.
It’s a unique case of a cultural practice leading to disease transmission.
Kuru cases have largely disappeared due to the ban on cannibalism.
It is also called laughing death disease.
It is worth noting that this disease was initially disseminated through the work of Nobel laureate Daniel Carleton Gajdusek.