An epidemic of kwashiorkor in the South Kasai, Congo

An outbreak of kwashiorkor of epidemic proportions occurred among Baluba refugees in the South Kasai in late 1960, and all degrees of severity of the disease were seen among both children and adults. Among the associated conditions were anaemia, malaria, dysentery and, in one child, smallpox. Marasmus was observed in only 3% of hospitalized patients.Rapid control of the emergency was made possible through the relief action of the United Nations and co-operating agencies. Except for those most severely affected, who required special fluid and antibiotic therapy, the treatment was mainly dietary (skin milk powder, starchy gruel, fish and palm oil). This treatment brought about a dramatic improvement in the clinical condition of hospitalized persons.The author considers that, to achieve lasting improvement, a long-range educational programme in nutrition is required in addition to emergency control measures.