[Outbreak of konzo disease in health region No. 2 of the Central African Republic].

Introduction: Konzo is a neuromyelopathy characterized by permanent spastic paraparesis, linked to a subacute poisoning by cyanide found in cassava. The purpose of the study is to describe the epidemiological aspects of konzo in health region No. 2 in the Central African Republic.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients collected during a one-month period (July 16 to August 16, 2007) of active surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis.
Results: Eighty-one cases of konzo were identified during the study period, representing a prevalence of 10 per 100,000. Mean age of patients was 10.7+/-7.7 years. Children and women were most affected. The main warning signs were fatigability (97.6%), tremor (88.9%), walking difficulty (100.0%), dysarthria (67.9%) and a loss of visual acuity (65.4%). The predominant neurological signs were lower limb paresis (90.0%) and hyperesthesia (66.7%).
Conclusion: Konzo is a serious public health problem in this region of the Central African Republic. A prevention program should be set-up.