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.
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