Kuru Disease and Dementia

Kuru is a disease passed on during funeral rites of the Fore tribe who live in northern New Guinea. The body of the dead were ritually cooked and eaten. Kuru means trembling with fear. The brain, the most infectious part of the body in Kuru was eaten by close female family members.

Kuru dementia is now almost non existent for two main reasons. The disease wiped out many tribes who practiced this ritual and the government of New Guinea discouraged cannibalism. Find out more about Kuru disease and dementia.

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