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As kidney disease kills thousands across continents, scientists scramble for answers

By Sasha Chavkin

How a rare kidney disease is killing laborers and vexing researchers in three countries.

Excerpts from this story referencing "chronic kidney disease":

"… tery: their kidneys are failing, and no one knows why.A mysterious form of chronic kidney disease — CKD — is afflicting thousands of people in rural, agricultural commu …"

"… ization data. In Sri Lanka, the WHO says at least 8,000 people suffer from chronic kidney disease of unknown cause, though other sources put the number more than double tha …"

"… tronomical 9.45 mg/dL — more than seven times higher than normal. He had chronic kidney disease, advanced into its late stages.Rajaratna’s illness is part of an epidemi …"

"… ministry and WHO.The government has even come up with a name for it: CKDu, chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology.Since 2009, the health ministry and WHO have embarked …"

In Sri Lanka, breakthroughs, setbacks and a spiritual touch

By Sasha Chavkin and Anna Barry-Jester

How a rare kidney disease is killing laborers and vexing researchers in three countries.

Excerpts from this story referencing "chronic kidney disease":

"… rom PRI's "The World."  …"

"… and night.”Sampath is among the youngest victims of a broad epidemic of chronic kidney disease sweeping north central Sri Lanka. Its victims are mostly male agricultural …"

"… ion, the usual causes of the illness. The government and WHO call it CKDu: chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology.Winding path to answersCKDu emerged in Sri Lanka’s n …"