“The invention of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has to be one of the most curious cases of inventive American scientific
imperialism that one could imagine. “
imperialism that one could imagine. “
Dr. Byron Hyde, MD, as presented at the Invest In M.E. London Conference, May 12, 2006
The following is an excerpt from an article at The Committee For Justice and Recognition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
Dr. Byron Hyde, MD, as presented at the Invest In M.E. London Conference, May 12, 2006
Community outbreaks of Atypical Poliomyelitis, Epidemic Neuromyasthenia (ENM) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) have been
described in the medical journals for many decades. In recent years medical scientists have documented a large amount of ME
disease pathology. These findings include involvement of the brain stem and hypothalamus; cardiac, immune system, mitochondria,
vascular and metabolic abnormalities, laying open a devastating picture. Nevertheless the most shocking revelation about this
disease has been its epidemic explosion: from a rare disease to some 20 million and growing. Thus we must explore the epidemic
context of ME to gain insight of the history and the danger to our communities and families everywhere.
The outbreak in Los Angeles, California in 1934 is most cited as the first well documented outbreak of ME. The 1934 outbreak, like
most eventually affected a wide area, and for years afterward sporadic cases were reported. However, the official reports focused on
the 200 staff members of the Los Angeles County General Hospital who were affected that summer. As with many of the other
outbreaks it occurred during a local polio epidemic, had a high incidence among hospital staff and resembled a polio illness.
The US Surgeon General undertook a major investigation of the Los Angeles outbreak, led by Dr Alexander Gilliam, and published
the extensive report about this illness: US Public Health Bulletin 1938. This was a landmark effort as it extensively described the
illness, and for the first time made it clear that there was a new disease present: while this illness was Polio-like it was not Paralytic
poliomyelitis. The landmark US Public Health Bulletin referred to the new disease, with features of a chronic polio-encephalitis, as
"Atypical Polio".
There were many similar outbreaks of ME over the years. Some were well known, such as the Iceland epidemic of '48 and the
outbreak at the London hospitals in 1955, where the well known infectious disease specialist Dr. A Melvin Ramsay began his detailed
investigations. Again the epidemics focused attention, and the medical journals reported on the outbreaks and examined the
similarities with Poliomyelitis. While the principal differences were a broader array of symptoms, absence of poliovirus, a prominence
of myalgia and a chronic active or relapsing course in many, nevertheless it was consistent with an encephalomyelitis. The term
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis has been used since that time.
The British CMO (Surgeon General) Dr. Donald Acheson authored the major review of this epidemic disease in The American
Journal of Medicine, 1959. In the 1960’s ME became codified as a neurologic disease at section 323 of the International
Classification of Diseases (ICD).
This same chronic encephalomyelitis infectious disease continued to be reported by many (including Drs. Henderson, Shelokov,
Poskanzer, Pellew, Leon-Sotomayor, Richardson, Ryll, Dowsett, Behan and Hyde) throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. This
established a continuous record of the disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, which leaves large numbers permanently disabled.
The ME specialist Dr. J G Parish has identified 63 ME outbreaks, between 1934 and 1990, and also consulted in the recent Arizona
outbreak. The list of these documented ME outbreaks is included below. Utilizing case summaries, the 1997 Arizona epidemic
reported here brings epidemic ME into vivid reality, illustrating the diversity of manifestations, and sometimes fatal consequences.
Although ME and the outbreaks have been known and described for some time, on the broad landscape of disease ME was a rare
infection. After the mass polio vaccination programs by the 1960's, polio vastly diminished and cases of ME seemed to have
decreased as well. Yet by the late 70's an increasing incidence of ME had begun. By the early 80's, there were many community
clusters and the dramatic worldwide spread of ME was in full gallop. For some reason the rare disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis,
had exploded into a worldwide epidemic. Many millions worldwide are now disabled by ME.
The very alarming and most disturbing aspect of this disease is that amid this epidemic explosion of disease, the national public
health agencies ignored the pleas from doctors in affected communities and failed to act. In the USA, the Centers of Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) at first ignored the reports, then without any need for evidence immediately declared that there were no
outbreaks, and continued to detract concern and delay any investigation. Subsequently the CDC responded by obscuring the
evidence, and confusing the medical community and the public regarding the nature, history and identity of this disease.
This disastrous response became formal policy when in 1988 the CDC dominated panel renamed this disease “CFS”, against the
vehement objections of the specialist physicians with decades of expertise, who advised that what was being observed was a
widespread reemergence of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. In effect a group of inexperienced government employees invented Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome and disregarded the medical experts. Pursuant to this policy to conceal the identity of ME, medical journals were
encouraged to never again publish reports about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis but only articles that discussed fatigue.
Much of this history suggests that the CDC was not following a program to identify disease and cause, but some other directive.
Rather than investigating this epidemic, the CDC appears to be acting to cover it up, and has pursued diversions and a plan to avoid
discovering the cause. This has proceeded with a clear disregard for the consequences, the many fatalities and the huge numbers
of disabled citizens.
Infectious diseases often occur in epidemics and the investigation of epidemics has been the most important tool to discover the
nature and origins of disease. This most valuable science has been avoided by health officials regarding the ME outbreaks. One of
the CDC’s primary duties is to investigate epidemics. But, in fact the CDC has never investigated an ME epidemic. Millions of
disabled patients deserve to know the truth.
These government agency policies have not advanced the understanding nor have they proceeded to control or prevent the
disease, instead the number of patients continues to increase: the public remains in danger. These policies are more consistent with
a defensive effort to protect the interests of private industry rather than protect the public. Every person is at risk and the public is
entitled to a vigorous program and mobilization of public resources to investigate and proceed to control this epidemic. The public
deserves to know the truth.
Clearly, the greatest epidemic of ME to ever occur is the recent and ongoing flare-up that began in 1991 among young healthy
military personnel. Many thousands from this epidemic have died. This population shares a common exposure. Many fell victim
immediately, but the disease has disabled many more over the years. Those ill now include many spouses and occasionally other
family members, demonstrating anew the infectious nature of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
ME is best understood in context, with detailed study of the outbreaks. Even though most cases today are considered sporadic, we
also must recognize that new outbreaks persist and continue to spread disease; this report of the recent Arizona epidemic provides a
wealth of information and insight.
The Committee takes note that while the CDC takes great pride, incites headlines and major mass media attention to
their heroic pursuit of any potentially contagious illness outbreak, when it comes to outbreaks of ME they decidedly
avoid any investigation. The Arizona outbreak is another example of this policy, refusing to investigate ME outbreaks,
continuing the policy from the 1980’s, at the beginning of this explosive pandemic, with the outbreaks at Lyndonville
and Lake Tahoe.
described in the medical journals for many decades. In recent years medical scientists have documented a large amount of ME
disease pathology. These findings include involvement of the brain stem and hypothalamus; cardiac, immune system, mitochondria,
vascular and metabolic abnormalities, laying open a devastating picture. Nevertheless the most shocking revelation about this
disease has been its epidemic explosion: from a rare disease to some 20 million and growing. Thus we must explore the epidemic
context of ME to gain insight of the history and the danger to our communities and families everywhere.
The outbreak in Los Angeles, California in 1934 is most cited as the first well documented outbreak of ME. The 1934 outbreak, like
most eventually affected a wide area, and for years afterward sporadic cases were reported. However, the official reports focused on
the 200 staff members of the Los Angeles County General Hospital who were affected that summer. As with many of the other
outbreaks it occurred during a local polio epidemic, had a high incidence among hospital staff and resembled a polio illness.
The US Surgeon General undertook a major investigation of the Los Angeles outbreak, led by Dr Alexander Gilliam, and published
the extensive report about this illness: US Public Health Bulletin 1938. This was a landmark effort as it extensively described the
illness, and for the first time made it clear that there was a new disease present: while this illness was Polio-like it was not Paralytic
poliomyelitis. The landmark US Public Health Bulletin referred to the new disease, with features of a chronic polio-encephalitis, as
"Atypical Polio".
There were many similar outbreaks of ME over the years. Some were well known, such as the Iceland epidemic of '48 and the
outbreak at the London hospitals in 1955, where the well known infectious disease specialist Dr. A Melvin Ramsay began his detailed
investigations. Again the epidemics focused attention, and the medical journals reported on the outbreaks and examined the
similarities with Poliomyelitis. While the principal differences were a broader array of symptoms, absence of poliovirus, a prominence
of myalgia and a chronic active or relapsing course in many, nevertheless it was consistent with an encephalomyelitis. The term
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis has been used since that time.
The British CMO (Surgeon General) Dr. Donald Acheson authored the major review of this epidemic disease in The American
Journal of Medicine, 1959. In the 1960’s ME became codified as a neurologic disease at section 323 of the International
Classification of Diseases (ICD).
This same chronic encephalomyelitis infectious disease continued to be reported by many (including Drs. Henderson, Shelokov,
Poskanzer, Pellew, Leon-Sotomayor, Richardson, Ryll, Dowsett, Behan and Hyde) throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. This
established a continuous record of the disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, which leaves large numbers permanently disabled.
The ME specialist Dr. J G Parish has identified 63 ME outbreaks, between 1934 and 1990, and also consulted in the recent Arizona
outbreak. The list of these documented ME outbreaks is included below. Utilizing case summaries, the 1997 Arizona epidemic
reported here brings epidemic ME into vivid reality, illustrating the diversity of manifestations, and sometimes fatal consequences.
Although ME and the outbreaks have been known and described for some time, on the broad landscape of disease ME was a rare
infection. After the mass polio vaccination programs by the 1960's, polio vastly diminished and cases of ME seemed to have
decreased as well. Yet by the late 70's an increasing incidence of ME had begun. By the early 80's, there were many community
clusters and the dramatic worldwide spread of ME was in full gallop. For some reason the rare disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis,
had exploded into a worldwide epidemic. Many millions worldwide are now disabled by ME.
The very alarming and most disturbing aspect of this disease is that amid this epidemic explosion of disease, the national public
health agencies ignored the pleas from doctors in affected communities and failed to act. In the USA, the Centers of Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) at first ignored the reports, then without any need for evidence immediately declared that there were no
outbreaks, and continued to detract concern and delay any investigation. Subsequently the CDC responded by obscuring the
evidence, and confusing the medical community and the public regarding the nature, history and identity of this disease.
This disastrous response became formal policy when in 1988 the CDC dominated panel renamed this disease “CFS”, against the
vehement objections of the specialist physicians with decades of expertise, who advised that what was being observed was a
widespread reemergence of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. In effect a group of inexperienced government employees invented Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome and disregarded the medical experts. Pursuant to this policy to conceal the identity of ME, medical journals were
encouraged to never again publish reports about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis but only articles that discussed fatigue.
Much of this history suggests that the CDC was not following a program to identify disease and cause, but some other directive.
Rather than investigating this epidemic, the CDC appears to be acting to cover it up, and has pursued diversions and a plan to avoid
discovering the cause. This has proceeded with a clear disregard for the consequences, the many fatalities and the huge numbers
of disabled citizens.
Infectious diseases often occur in epidemics and the investigation of epidemics has been the most important tool to discover the
nature and origins of disease. This most valuable science has been avoided by health officials regarding the ME outbreaks. One of
the CDC’s primary duties is to investigate epidemics. But, in fact the CDC has never investigated an ME epidemic. Millions of
disabled patients deserve to know the truth.
These government agency policies have not advanced the understanding nor have they proceeded to control or prevent the
disease, instead the number of patients continues to increase: the public remains in danger. These policies are more consistent with
a defensive effort to protect the interests of private industry rather than protect the public. Every person is at risk and the public is
entitled to a vigorous program and mobilization of public resources to investigate and proceed to control this epidemic. The public
deserves to know the truth.
Clearly, the greatest epidemic of ME to ever occur is the recent and ongoing flare-up that began in 1991 among young healthy
military personnel. Many thousands from this epidemic have died. This population shares a common exposure. Many fell victim
immediately, but the disease has disabled many more over the years. Those ill now include many spouses and occasionally other
family members, demonstrating anew the infectious nature of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
ME is best understood in context, with detailed study of the outbreaks. Even though most cases today are considered sporadic, we
also must recognize that new outbreaks persist and continue to spread disease; this report of the recent Arizona epidemic provides a
wealth of information and insight.
The Committee takes note that while the CDC takes great pride, incites headlines and major mass media attention to
their heroic pursuit of any potentially contagious illness outbreak, when it comes to outbreaks of ME they decidedly
avoid any investigation. The Arizona outbreak is another example of this policy, refusing to investigate ME outbreaks,
continuing the policy from the 1980’s, at the beginning of this explosive pandemic, with the outbreaks at Lyndonville
and Lake Tahoe.
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