In the late 20th century, however, kuru reached epidemic proportions in certain Papua New Guinean communities, therefore suggesting that vCJD may also have a similar incubation period of 20 to 50 years.
Namun, di akhir abad ke-20, kuru mencapai proporsi epidemik di beberapa masyarakat Papua Nugini, kemudian menunjukkan bahwa vCJD memiliki masa inkubasi serupa, 30-50 tahun.