Origins
Kuru is thought to have originated from a sporadic case of CJD, but because of the differences between it and other prions, it could have been a random mutation. It arose in Papa New Guinea in the late 19th to early 20th century, afflicting the Fore tribe of indigenous people. It is speculated that the tribe took up cannibalism when food was scarce.
Symptoms
Kuru, in the Fore language, means 'trembling'. The infected had tremors, bouts of involuntary laughing, and in the last stages of the disease, an inability to walk, speak, or eat.
References
Gajdusek, Carleton. A child with advanced kuru who could neither stand nor sit without support. Digital image. MDPI. MDPI, 18 July 2013. Web. 13 July 2016. <http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/2/3/472/htm>.
McLean, Catriona A. Kuru Cerebellum Showing Spongiform Change in the Molecular Layer, Neuronal Loss (Purkinje Cells and Granular Cells) and Gliosis (haematoxylin and Eosin, ×200 Actual Magnification). Digital image. Royal Society Publishing, 27 Nov. 2008. Web. 13 July 2016. <http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/363/1510/3685>.
McLean, Catriona A. Kuru Cerebellum Showing Spongiform Change in the Molecular Layer, Neuronal Loss (Purkinje Cells and Granular Cells) and Gliosis (haematoxylin and Eosin, ×200 Actual Magnification). Digital image. Royal Society Publishing, 27 Nov. 2008. Web. 13 July 2016. <http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/363/1510/3685>.