Introduction

Collinge, John; Alpers, Michael P.

doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0103

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The colleagues who worked with Gajdusek and Zigas in 1957 are acknowledged in the second paper on kuru ( Zigas & Gajdusek 1957 ) and the sequence of research workers who followed is given in the Introduction to these proceedings ( Collinge & Alpers 2008 ). Indeed, the reminiscences and reflections of many of them are included in the proceedings.…”

Section: Geography and Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The End of Kuru Conference recognized all participants for their part in the kuru story; the Introduction to these proceedings ( Collinge & Alpers 2008 ) and my earlier paper ( Alpers 2008 ) have paid tribute to many other investigators and supporters. I thank my two senior colleagues, Carleton Gajdusek and John Collinge, for their inspirational past and present support.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The epidemiology of kuru: monitoring the epidemic from its peak to its end

Alpers

2008

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Kuru is a fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy restricted to the Fore people and their neighbours in a remote region of the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. When first investigated in 1957 it was found to be present in epidemic proportions, with approximately 1000 deaths in the first 5 years, 1957–1961. The changing epidemiological patterns and other significant findings such as the transmissibility of kuru are described in their historical progression. Monitoring the progress of the epidemic has been carried out by epidemiological surveillance in the field for 50 years. From its peak, the number of deaths from kuru declined to 2 in the last 5 years, indicating that the epidemic is approaching its end. The mode of transmission of the prion agent of kuru was the local mortuary practice of transumption. The prohibition of this practice in the 1950s led to the decline in the epidemic, which has been prolonged into the present century by incubation periods that may exceed 50 years. Currently, the epidemiological surveillance is being maintained and further studies on human genetics and the past mortuary practices are being conducted in the kuru-affected region and in communities beyond it.

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Section: Geography and Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

The epidemiology of kuru: monitoring the epidemic from its peak to its end

Alpers

2008

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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“…Lucy was recently honoured at a Royal Society meeting in October 2007, which celebrated '50 years of Kuru', in London. 4 As a living elder and largely unknown to me before preparing the Lecture in Honour, Lucy gave me access to photos she took in PNG and her journals and spoke to me extensively about her professional life, opening up a fascinating account of life in a country undergoing massive social change. She also provided insights into dietetics in Australia in the 1940-1950s.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Our elders, our stories, our culture

Ash

2008

Nutrition & Dietetics

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“…He did appear at the Royal Society conference ''The End of Kuru: 50 Years of Research Into an Extraordinary Disease'' held in London, England, in October 2007, which was in large part a tribute to his substantial scientific and anthropological work in Papua New Guinea. 8 During the last decade of his life, Gajdusek spent much of his time in seclusion living above the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway, and it is a fitting end that he died there during the winter period of 24-hour darkness.…”

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confidence: 99%