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kuru
(koo´roo)
an infectious form of prion disease with a long incubation period; it is found only among the Fore and neighboring peoples of New Guinea, is always fatal, and
is thought to be associated with ritual cannibalism. Characteristics include truncal and limb ataxia, a shivering-like tremor
(“kuru” is the Fore word for “shivering”), and dysarthria. Amyloid plaques may be found in about two thirds of affected individuals.

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