Rare ‘Sailor’s disease’ making a comeback among children

Hundreds of children developed the disease in France in the last nine years (Picture: Shutterstock/Natchar Lai)

A rare Renaissance-era condition known as ‘Sailor’s disease’ is making a dangerous comeback in France.

Scurvy, a disease last prevalent in the 18th century, when it killed at least two million sailors, has been on the rise, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is caused by a severe deficiency in vitamin C, and in France, it has made a resurgence among young children from low-income families.