Folger's mystery illness diagnosed as genetic disorder

Tests in Germany had revealed a strain of Gilbert Syndrome, which affects between two and five percent of the population and means the liver cannot process toxins effectively.

Folger's mystery illness diagnosed as genetic disorder

(Reuters)

The team said Folger, who was bed-ridden before last month's Japanese Grand Prix when his body effectively shut down, would have to follow a special diet and was now going through a complete detoxification process.

Folger, 24, also missed the races in Australia and Malaysia and will be absent from this weekend's season-ending round in Valencia, Spain.

The rookie, who is still 10th in the standings and is contracted for 2018, is the only German in the top flight of grand prix motorcycling. He finished second in his home race at the Sachsenring in July.

Folger previously suspected Epstein-Barr virus, which can leave the sufferer feeling tired for weeks or months, was the cause of his problems.

"It’s a huge relief that we now have a clear understanding of the situation and how to move forward," said the rider in the team statement.

"The past six weeks have been very difficult for me, not knowing what’s happening or why my body shut down completely," he added.

"I’ve been living with elements of this since 2011 but I’ve always been able to overcome it and we never really knew what it was."

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by William Maclean)


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world