Konzo in the Central African Republic.

We identified a new focus of konzo, an upper motor neuron disease, in a part of western Central African Republic. Interviews and high serum levels of thiocyanate indicate that cyanide exposure from insufficiently processed cassava may cause konzo. Abrupt onset, nonprogressive course, and seronegativity to HTLV-I clearly differentiate konzo from HTLV-I-associated myelopathy in tropical countries.