A mysterious virus known as ‘Dinga Dinga,’ characterized by uncontrollable shaking, is impacting women and girls in Uganda’s Bundibugyo district. With 300 cases reported but no fatalities, health officials emphasize caution and the importance of seeking proper treatment.
Women and girls in Uganda’s Bundibugyo district are grappling with a mysterious illness causing high fever and uncontrollable shaking, according to the Deccan Herald.
Locally referred to as ‘Dinga Dinga,’ meaning “shaking like dancing,” the condition has affected around 300 individuals, predominantly women and girls.
Reports from India Today indicate no fatalities have been recorded, with the illness being treated using antibiotics. Dr. Kiyita Christopher, the district health officer, stated, “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.”
“There is no scientific evidence that herbal medicine can treat this disease. We are using specific treatments, and I urge locals to seek care from district health facilities,” added Dr. Christopher.
Notably, no cases of the illness have been reported outside Bundibugyo. Samples from affected individuals have been sent to Uganda’s health ministry, but an official diagnosis has yet to be confirmed.
Not the First Time?
This outbreak draws comparisons to the “Dancing Plague of 1518,” a historical phenomenon where uncontrollable dancing episodes swept through Strasbourg, Alsace, in the Holy Roman Empire between July and September 1518.
The mysterious illness in Bundibugyo echoes the “Dancing Plague of 1518,” where Frau Troffea began dancing uncontrollably in the streets of Strasbourg. With no music, others soon joined in, and the phenomenon persisted for days despite efforts to stop it. The dancers even moved to churches, unable to control their erratic movements.
The Health Status of Women in Uganda
Women in Uganda face significant health challenges, with maternal mortality rates remaining high at 440 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Major causes of maternal deaths include unsafe abortion, obstetric complications (severe bleeding, infections, hypertensive disorders, obstructed labor), and pregnancy-related conditions such as malaria, diabetes, hepatitis, and anemia.
Despite these challenges, there has been progress. In 2021, Uganda’s healthy life expectancy for women reached 58.9 years—a notable increase of 15.4 years compared to 2000.
