[LadyDoc]

the BBC and jama articles say prion disease has been ruled out. But like other diseases such as long covid, or even the outbreak of mad cow disease in the UK, I suspect they are missing something.

and note: It started before Covid and vaccinations for covid.

The pesticide or chemical pollution could be the cause but then why in rural NB and not in other areas

[Justa]

My guess is Rodenticides or other poisons in the ground water. The symptoms sound like Central Nervous System and brain damage. Many rat poisons work that way.