1955 Royal Free Hospital outbreak

1955 Royal Free Hospital outbreak: In 1955 there was a cluster outbreak of myalgic encephalomyelitis amongst staff at the Royal Free Hospital in North London, in the United Kingdom. This outbreak occurred at a prior location to the current hospital site in Hampstead NW3. The disease name Myalgic Encephalomyelitis emerged to describe the illness.

Outbreak location
The outbreak occurred at the former site of Royal Free Hospital at 256 Grays Inn Road (WC1X) which is now the Eastman Dental Hospital.

Demographics
Between 13 July 1955 and 24 November 1955, two hundred ninety-two (292) people, of whom the vast majority were hospital personnel, became ill. Personnel from the medical, nursing, auxiliary medical, ancillary, and administrative departments were affected. Of these two hundred fifty-five (255) were admitted to the hospital.

Learn more

 * 2016, Is chronic fatigue syndrome finally being taken seriously?
 * 1987, Royal Free disease: perplexity continues
 * 1986, MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS : A Baffling Syndrome With a Tragic Aftermath. By A. Melvin Ramsay M.D., Hon Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases Dept, Royal Free Hospital
 * 1978, Epidemic myalgic encephalomyelitis (The BMJ)
 * 1978, 'Epidemic neuromyasthenia' 1955-1978 (Melvin Ramsay, The BMJ)
 * 1977, Icelandic disease (benign myalgic encephalomyelitis or Royal Free disease) (Melvin Ramsay, Elizabeth Dowsett, J V Dadswell, W H Lyle, and J G Parish, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr Betty Scott, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (N. D. Compston, H. E. Dimsdale, Melvin Ramsay, and A. T. Richardson, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr E D Acheson, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr Paula Gosling, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr G J Burke, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr E J Hopkins, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr J F Galpine, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr D C Poskanzer, The BMJ)
 * 1970, Epidemic malaise (Dr J G Parish, The BMJ)
 * 1965, Eclipse of hysteria (Dr Betty Scott, Melvin Ramsay, The BMJ)
 * 1965, Hysteria and 'Royal Free Disease' (Melvin Ramsay, The BMJ)