Bea's+Report

Epidemic Encephalitis Epidemic encephalitis is one of the many names of a disease called encephalitis lethargica, a disease that spread the word in Russia, North America, and Europe during 1916-1928. In which time it was a brand new disease.

To understand the Epidemic of encephalitis lethargica you must know more of the disease, its symptoms and as such. Encephalitis lethargica starts as a viral infection, then spreads upward from your throat swelling your brain in the mid-brain and basal ganglia areas. Its symptoms are a sore throat, fever, sleeping a lot, falling over plus there are many more symptoms. Children’s personalities can be altered considerably. There thinking can become very disturbed.

Although the epidemic was between 1917-1928 a man named Von Economy first described encephalitis lethargica in 1915. He also found evidence of previous cases dating back to the 17th century. It is also debated whether there was a small outbreak in Italy, there it is known as la no meaning sleepy sickness.Also, it could post influenza as all of the possible previous cases are sometimes around an influenza outbreak.

It is hard to know the exact effects on communities in which encephalitis lethargica had because there are not many if any recorded. I think it would have been another big hit after the epidemic but it would have been more spread out. For example18 million dies and their jobs disappear from influenza [2 million are unemployed] lost their jobs from influenza. 800,000 people lost their jobs to encephalitis lethargica [200,00 were unemployed] and all 1,000,000 people have 2 family members that quit their jobs to look after the sick so 1,000,000x 2=2,000,000+800,000=2,800,000 you can see how the number grows. During this time, 500,000 people died of influenza.

Encephalitis lethargica could come back from swine flu being possibly post-influenza but would kill 500,000 people with modern medicine on the lose, it might be a good thing so it might spark some studies on it. Plus it woudn't be brand new we are a lot more prepared.

Bea Cooke