Cannibalism as a Factor Favouring the Spreading of a virus Disease - Schott - 1983

Kuru — a disease occuring in the Eastern highlands of Papua New Guinea provides evidence of the fact that cannibalistic rites may have an accelerating effect on morbidity and mortality rates. Kuru is restricted to the Melanesian tribe of the Fore peoples who in their ritual cannibalism observe the traditional division by sexes even in their cultic matters. Kuru is a slowly progressing virus infection which was transmitted through the contamination of closely related tribe members after the skull of a deceased kuru victim had been opened. Since the traditional mourning rite had been partly abandoned, epidemiological findings changed over the past two decades, of which a decrease of the diesase in pre-adolescents and adolescents is characteristic.

Keywords

Cannibalism - Kuru disease - Mortality rates - Mourning rite - Consumption of human brains - Epidemiological conclusions

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