Research on hereditary neurological disorder in Kaashidhoo
The genetically inherited disease is present in about eight families in the island.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
The Ministry of Health has launched a study on a neurological disorder that is believed to be hereditary in K. Kaashidhoo.
The Health Ministry on Thursday held a discussion to conduct a study on the neurological health problem identified in Kaashidhoo.
When asked about the disease, Kaashidhoo Health Center Public Health Coordinator Yusuf Shujau said the disorder is called cerebellar ataxia.
Cerebellar ataxia is:
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A neurological diseasePeople with this disease have poor muscle control that causes clumsy voluntary movements. It may cause difficulty with walking and balance, hand coordination, speech and swallowing, and eye movements
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Inherited cerebellar ataxias (ICAs) belong to a large group of rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases that can be passed from parents to children
According to Shujau, it has been a disease among some families in the island for a long time. The concern is that the genetically inherited disease is now being passed from one family to another.
"This is a disease that has been in the island for a long time. It is not an epidemic or dangerous," he said.
He said:
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Work is being done with the Ministry of Health to reduce the number of cases and prevent the disease
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Last December, a team from the Ministry of Health visited the island to clarify the matter
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The disease does not pose a threat to the island, but we are currently looking into what can be done to prevent inheritance of the disease genetically
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The treatment for the disease is physiotherapy; therefore, discussions have been held with the government to provide physiotherapy services in Kaashidhoo. That is expected to be settled very soon
This disease has been present in Kaashidhoo for ages. The genetically inherited disease is present in about eight families in the island. Five people have died of the disease in the past. The oldest person infected is now 70 years old.
The Health Ministry could not be reached for comment.
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