1954 Johannesburg outbreak
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During an outbreak of poliomyelitis in Johannesburg from August 1954 to March 1955, there were fourteen reported cases of atypical poliomyelitis.[1]
Onset[edit | edit source]
Onset was typically abrupt, often with severe headache.[1]
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms included:[1]
- No fever or low-grade fever.
- Stiffness of the neck and back
- Myalgia and muscle weakness
- Facial weakness
- Paraesthesia in some cases
Findings[edit | edit source]
- Normal blood
- Normal or slightly raised sedimentation rate
- Normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure (below 50 mg. %)
- Negative for poliovirus, Coxsackie, Rickettsia, and infectious mononucleosis
Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
The youngest was eight years of age and the oldest, 47, with the majority of patients in their 20s and 30s. Seventy-two percent of cases were female.[1]
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
In three cases, there was relapses within weeks of discharge from the hospital.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Epidemic myalgic encephalomyelitis
- List of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome outbreaks
Learn more[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jackson, B (May 1957). "A disease resembling poliomyelitis; report of an outbreak in Johannesburg". South African Medical Journal. 31: 514–517.
