Abstract
AbstractKonzo is an upper motor neuron disease that causes irreversible paralysis of the legs mainly in children and young women^1,2^, due to consumption of large amounts of cyanogens from poorly processed cassava, the staple food of tropical Africa^3^. Konzo occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),Mozambique, Tanzania, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Angola. In March 2010 the wetting method, which removes cyanogens from cassava flour^4,5,6^, was taught to and used by the mothers of Kay Kalenge village. This reduced the total cyanide content of cassava flour to the FAO/WHO limit of 10ppm^7^. Cyanogen intake of school children, monitored by urinary thiocyanate analyses, decreased from mean values of 332 to 130 &x03BC;mole/L. The percentage of urine samples that exceeded the danger level of about 350 &x03BC;mole/L decreased from 26 in March 2010 to zero by May 2011. In 2009 there were many new cases of konzo, but none in 2010-2011. Konzo was first identified in1938 in Popokabaka area^8^ and it has now been prevented for the first time in the same area. This methodology is being used in three villages in Boko area and we believe it is the way to control konzo in tropical Africa.
Highlights
Konzo is an upper motor neuron disease that causes irreversible paralysis of the legs mainly in children and young women,[1,2] due to consumption of large amounts of cyanogens from poorly processed cassava, the staple food of tropical Africa.[3]
Konzo occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Tanzania, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Angola
In March 2010 the wetting method, which removes cyanogens from cassava flour,[4,5,6] was taught to and used by the mothers of Kay Kalenge village. This reduced the total cyanide content of cassava flour to the FAO/WHO limit of 10 ppm.[7]
Summary
J.P.Banea,[1] G Nahimana,[1] C. The use of the wetting method on cassava flour by the mothers of Kay Kalenge village over 1.5 years including two dry seasons has reduced the cyanide content of cassava flour to safe levels, produced better and more tasty fufu, reduced the thiocyanate content of urine from school children to safe levels and prevented new cases of konzo. We believe that this is the first time that konzo has been prevented. The methodology described here is being used successfully in three other villages in Boko health zone, supported financially by AusAID, and we believe it is the way to control konzo in tropical Africa
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