00:04Between 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,
00:13as the most notable symptom was emotionless 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.
00:24Experts 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 for the cause.
00:37However, recent research is attempting to divine how it all happened,
00:40as understanding past pandemics can better prepare us for future ones.
00:44Previous studies have attempted to link encephalitis lethargica to other illnesses,
00:48especially considering 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.
00:57They found that nearly half of all of those who were afflicted with sleepy sickness
01:01may have also had autoimmune encephalitis.
01:03They 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.
01:13And it'll fall back as hard for her.�
01:13burw's basically jedніher. senza teen
01:14wiÊ” tv i libe
01:17j
01:17j
