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A new map of the global spread of the debilitating nerve disease, multiple sclerosis, has just been published.
Protective myelin is stripped away from nerve cells by MS
MS is a neurological disease that causes the gradual breakdown of key bodily functions, although it often moves very slowly and rarely kills.
The map dispels a few myths. In the past, it was thought MS was a disease of developed countries, but this has been found not to be the case.
To reinforce the idea that geography is no guarantee of immunity, we hear from two MS sufferers. Firstly, from Indonesia.
Listen Listen to an Indonesian MS sufferer (55 secs)
Bianca Oscanson is from Namibia.
Listen Listen to Bianca Oscanson (1 min 15 secs)
Peer Baneke is the chief executive of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, which published the map.
Listen Listen to Peer Baneke (3 mins 11 secs)
First broadcast 18 September 2008
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