The fight to cure South Sudan’s mysterious neurological disorder

Nodding syndrome is a distressing disease that stunts growth, harms brains and sparks convulsions. Though its cause is still unknown, there is now hope that epilepsy drugs can help afflicted children

The other children move away, frightened, when the convulsions start. Tabo takes a long, guttural breath before slumping on to the ground unconscious, her entire body shaking. The 17-year-old's mother, Penina Monyo Gulu Biro, gently holds the girl while the attack lasts.

A minute or two later, Tabo (pictured above) sits up again, tears rolling down her cheeks. She cries because she's sad to be like this," says Biro.

An aerial view of the Dombolo River, near Mvolo town, in South Sudan's Western Equatoria state