A small region has been hit by a group of mystery brain disease, leaving a minimum of 200 Canadians afflicted and leaving medical professionals perplexed, Daily Mail reported.
Mysterious brain disease struck down 200 Canadians with symptoms like dementia, hallucinations, and memory loss
Over 200 people residing in New Brunswick, Canada, have experienced symptoms resembling dementia, including intense hallucinations, difficulty in communication and writing, memory deficiencies, and in some cases, even physical paralysis.
According to specialists, the reported instances trace back to 2015 and affect individuals ranging from 18 to 84 years old. As per the report, the majority of these people were previously in good health before being affected by this ailment.
Authorities in the field of health are conducting investigations into the cases to determine if the culprit behind the illness is the consumption of contaminated food and water containing blue-green algae blooms found in water sources.
Another factor that contributed to the condition was prolonged exposure to the herbicide glyphosate, Daily Mail reported.
The investigation initiated by the government in 2021 involved a comprehensive effort across various departments, but by February 2022, officials stated that the cases were unrelated. The government’s abrupt termination of the inquiry raised concerns among medical experts who suspected it was aimed at safeguarding the region’s profitable fishing and forestry industries from potential negative repercussions.
Dr. Alier Marrero, a physician at the center of this mysterious condition, continued to advocate for a government-led investigation. He encountered patients in New Brunswick who exhibited the symptoms. The doctor reported that the number of cases had surpassed 200 in recent times.
Dr. Marrero’s findings related to the cases
Between 2018 and April 2021, Dr. Marrero observed an increasing number of cases. It started with eight cases in 2018, which rose to 20 the following year, then 38, and eventually reached 48 by April 2021. However, after that point, the province ceased keeping track of the cases.
Despite this, patients still sought help from Dr. Marrero, a renowned authority in Canada on this baffling group of cases. In 2021, he notified government officials about two recently referred patients, one in their 30s and another in their 50s, displaying symptoms akin to progressive Alzheimer’s Disease.
Extensive examinations such as blood tests, spinal taps, and brain scans conducted on the patients revealed signs of brain atrophy and neurological dysfunction. However, the patterns were not consistent enough across patients to establish a definitive diagnosis.
Gabriel Cormier, currently 23 years old, suffered from memory loss, vision problems, and the inability to stand for extended periods. Consequently, she relies on a cane or wheelchair for mobility since falling ill in October 2019.
