1955 Dalston outbreak

Beginning in January 1955, an outbreak of disease thought to be consistent with myalgic encephalomyelitis occurred, centered around the village of Dalston in Cumbria, England and affected 233 people (14% of the practice population). Males and females were equally affected. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/4457588?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents)

Endemic cases continued to appear several years after the initial outbreak and incidence of the disease spread to surrounding villages. An epidemiological study of the outbreak was published by Dr. A. L. Wallis, a general practitioner that covered the areas concerned.

Symptoms

 * Lymphadenopathy
 * hepatosplenomegaly
 * abnormal lymphocytes
 * Paresthesias
 * blurred vision
 * vertigo
 * depression as a significant problem
 * myalgia
 * joint pain
 * cognitive dysfunction (loss of concentration manifested, inability to read, knit)
 * locomotor dysfunction
 * reticuloendothelial involvement
 * ulnar neuropathies