An unknown disease that has afflicted some 2,000 people on the African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe remains a mystery as Portuguese doctors try to figure out the etiology and cure, according to Portugal media (computer translated).
“Studies are being done by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ricardo Jorge Institute of Portugal with Portuguese cooperation,” said Afonso Varela, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Parliamentary Affairs.
WHO sent a specialist from Benin because the pathology was similar to a common disease in Africa, particularly in Benin; however, a conclusion has yet to be met.
Earlier this month, media accounts reported the mystery disease may have been Buruli ulcer.
Buruli ulcer is a bacterial infection by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Like the agent of tuberculosis, it is a slow-growing, acid fast bacilli. But unlike TB, it is an organism that is found in wetland type environments.
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May God be with Sao Tome