What is it?
Noma, derived from the Greek word ‘nomein’, meaning ‘to devour”, is a devastating bacterial necrosis, that develops in the mouths of it’s victims. Ulcers develop, quickly developing into Noma if untreated, eating away both soft and bone tissue in the face. It is predominantly rife among African children, between the ages of 2 and 6 years old. It is almost unheard of in the West, simply due to the high levels of hygiene and nutrition we have.. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that 140,000 new cases of Noma occur each year.
The disease attacks the vital functions of the face, stopping the victim from being able to eat, breath, or even see fully. There is an 90% death rate from contracting the disease, since lockjaw inhibits the victim from being able to eat, thus causing them to starve.
The 10% that survive the disease itself are left with horrible facial disfigurations, such as that shown above. They are seen as a curse upon a community, and are often abandoned by their loved ones in the middle of nowhere.