Mysterious nodding disease afflicts Ugandan children, perplexing scientists and residents

KITGUM, Uganda – Uganda this week hosts a four-day international conference on nodding syndrome that health officials believe will lead to a clearer understanding of the mysterious disease.

The disease is calling nodding syndrome, or nodding head disease, because those who have it nod their heads and sometimes go into epileptic-like fits. The disease stunts children and destroys their cognition, rendering them unable to perform small tasks.

Ugandan officials say some 3,000 children suffer from the affliction. Some caregivers tie nodding syndrome children up to trees rather than watch them every minute of the day.

World Health Organization officials in Uganda said the conference will be attended by about 120 scientists from all over the world.

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