What degenerative disease notably affected the South Fore and was linked to cannibalism?

Kuru is the degenerative disease that significantly affected the South Fore people, primarily due to their practice of ritualistic cannibalism. This disease is classified as a prion disease, which is caused by misfolded proteins that lead to damage in the brain and nervous system. The transmission of Kuru occurred when members of the South Fore consumed the brains of deceased relatives during funerary rituals, which then exposed them to the infectious prions responsible for the disease.

Kuru is characterized by symptoms including tremors, loss of coordination, and eventually severe neurological decline, leading to death. The association of the disease with cannibalism is a significant aspect of understanding its impact on the South Fore community, as it illustrates how cultural practices can have profound health consequences.