Science and Health

Over 15,000 suffers from cassava disease 'konzo' in DR Congo

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-29 15:46

KINSHASA - More than 15,000 cases of people suffering from cassava disease "konzo" have been reported against 11,000 cases in 2008, according to the governor of the Bandundu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

The disease is characterized by spastic paralysis and is caused by the cyanide contained in the cassava, unlike paralysis of the joints which can be avoided by vaccination against polio, Governor Richard Ndambu Wollang said here on Sunday.

The spastic paralysis hardens the muscles and slows movement.

The problem was attributed to lack of water in Bandundu province that can be used to eliminate this cyanide from cassava within appropriate time. The population ends up placing this cassava in water that cannot totally eliminate the toxic substance.

The Bandundu governor was in Kinshasa to seek the central government's support. The financial needs stand at $600,000, including $200,000 already allocated for the drilling of water for villages situated far away from the natural sources of water.