Koro syndrome: Mass epidemic in Kerala, India

Koro is a culture bound syndrome characterized by acute anxiety and fear that the genital organ would retract into the body and may even cause death. The present study was conducted to (i) report the mass koro epidemic which broke out at the labour camps in Kochi, Kerala, South India during the months of August and September 2010, (ii) describe its symptomatology and (iii) identify the etiological factors of koro syndrome. Victims belong to the floating migrant labour population from North India. Study was conducted using the descriptive methods such as field survey, observation, clinical interview and medical examination. Within a period of two weeks koro epidemic spread to nearly 100 individuals in three labour camps. Illiteracy, poor living conditions, economic problems, occupational stress and separation from family were found to be the major causes. Individuals with histrionic and anxious personality traits or disorders were more likely to be affected by such conditions. Previous knowledge of the koro syndrome combined with unhealthy pre morbid personality traits and life stress led to the outbreak of the epidemic. Etiology was found to be exclusively psychogenic factors. Signs and symptoms of the epidemic were typical of koro syndrome described elsewhere. The psychological and social implications are also discussed.