Between 1915 and 1926 there was an epidemic that swept across the world. It was called encephalitis lethargica, more often referred to as “sleepy sickness” as its most notable symptom was a motionless state in the victims.
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00:00Between 1915 and 1926, there was a pandemic that swept across the world.
00:09It was called encephalitis lethargica, more often referred to as sleepy sickness, as the
00:14most notable symptom was a motionless state in its victims.
00:17Some were described as statue-like, where the afflicted individuals could not speak,
00:21with some even entering a coma-like state.
00:25Experts estimate that at least a million people contracted the disease during its height,
00:28with around 500,000 dying from the illness.
00:31Yet one day, the sleepy sickness disappeared, and to this day, experts are still searching
00:36for the cause.
00:37However, recent research is attempting to divine how it all happened, as understanding
00:41past pandemics can better prepare us for future ones.
00:44Previous studies have attempted to link encephalitis lethargica to other illnesses, especially
00:49considering it arose around the same time as the Spanish flu.
00:52However, experts now say it might more likely be linked to our body's own autoimmune processes.
00:58They found that nearly half of all of those who were afflicted with sleepy sickness may
01:01have also had autoimmune encephalitis.
01:04They add that while the infections don't fit patterns we see today, it could be a lead,
01:07meaning the true cause of encephalitis lethargica will remain a mystery for a little while longer.