It was caused by the release of methylmercury in the industrial wastewater from a chemical factory owned by the Chisso Corporation, which continued from 1932 to 1968. Minamata disease was first discovered in the city of Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, in 1956, hence its name. A congenital form of the disease affects fetuses in the womb, causing microcephaly, extensive cerebral damage, and symptoms similar to those seen in cerebral palsy.
In extreme cases, insanity, paralysis, coma, and death follow within weeks of the onset of symptoms. Signs and symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, general muscle weakness, loss of peripheral vision, and damage to hearing and speech. Minamata disease is a neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning. Loss of peripheral vision, and damage to hearing and speech in extreme cases: insanity, paralysis, coma can also affect fetuses see Mercury poisoning for more detailsĪffected those who consumed fish and shellfish from Minamata Bayģ5% case fatality rate for more details see mercury poisoning The hand of Tomoko Kamimura, who had Minamata disease
