1954 Johannesburg outbreak
From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
During an outbreak of poliomyelitis in Johannesburg from August 1954 to March 1955, there were fourteen reported cases of atypical poliomyelitis.[1]
Onset
Onset was typically abrupt, often with severe headache.[1]
Symptoms
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
- Normal blood
- Normal or slightly raised sedimentation rate
- Normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure (below 50 mg. %)
- Negative for poliovirus, Coxsackie, Rickettsia, and infectious mononucleosis
Epidemiology
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
In three cases, there was relapses within weeks of discharge from the hospital.
See also
- Epidemic myalgic encephalomyelitis
- List of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome outbreaks
Learn more
References
- ↑ 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.
