The disease name comes from reports of people becoming ill after eating pancakes made from contaminated wheat or corn (maize) flour.
[1] The symptoms are allergic symptoms, especially trouble breathing, swelling of the face and throat, runny nose, cough, difficulty swallowing, and wheals.
[1] Anaphylaxis can occur during exposure to NSAID drugs or exercise in people exposed to the mites.
[2][3] Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that produce very powerful allergens.
[2] The latter two are the most likely to have caused the harmful effects, and they live in tropical and subtropical environments.