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The original was posted on /r/todayilearned by /u/Cinemaphreak on 2024-02-18 21:50:31.

Original Title: TIL that in the 20th century, native New Guineans were devastated by an incurable fatal degenerative brain disease called Kuru, “the shaking death.” It was caused by eating cooked brain tissue during ritual cannibalism. Victims also laughed uncontrollably.