In the local language it is a mysterious disease called ‘Dinga Dinga’ meaning ‘to move like a dance’. About 300 people have been affected in Uganda, mostly women and girls in ‘Bundibugyo district.

According to news agency IANS, the condition involves fever and uncontrollable body shivering, severely impairing mobility. People who are infected with ‘Dinga Dinga’ virus are experiencing many symptoms which include fever along with body shivering and extreme weakness. In severe cases, people are also experiencing paralysis.

According to local media, it is difficult for infected people to walk as their bodies tremble uncontrollably. Health officials in Uganda are investigating the mysterious disease and its cause.

Although no deaths have been reported, health officials stress the importance of receiving prompt medical care.

Treatment currently consists of antibiotics administered by community health teams. District Health Officer Dr Kiyita Christopher highlighted that patients usually recover within a week.

He discouraged reliance on herbal remedies, saying, “There is no scientific evidence that herbal medicine can cure this disease. We are using specific treatments, and I encourage local people to seek care from district health facilities.” “I urge you to do so.”

To prevent the spread of the disease, health officials recommend maintaining good hygiene, avoiding contact with affected individuals, and reporting new cases immediately to local health teams.

Dr Kiyita confirmed that there have been no cases outside Bundibugyo. Samples from affected individuals have been sent to Uganda’s Ministry of Health for further analysis, but an official diagnosis is still pending.

The disease has been compared to historical outbreaks such as the “dancing plague” of 1518 in Strasbourg, France, where people danced uncontrollably for days, sometimes leading to death from exhaustion.

Similar outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo

Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is battling its own unknown outbreak in the Panzi health region. The World Health Organization (WHO) has so far reported 394 cases and 30 deaths.

Symptoms in DRC include fever, headache, cough, runny nose and body aches. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether respiratory pathogens such as influenza, COVID-19, malaria or measles are involved. Scientists have also ruled out the possibility of it being “Disease X”.