Mystery Outbreak Of Tourette's At US School

[dipsydoodle]

Pupils have been struck by a mysterious Tourette's-type illness at a school in New York, leaving doctors baffled.

Up to 15 girls at Le Roy High School have developed the ailment over the past few months.

It causes twitching and uncontrollable verbal outbursts - including swearing in some cases.

Doctors say the symptoms could be due to conversion disorder - once known as mass hysteria.

http://news.sky.com/home/strange-news/article/16159952

What is causing mystery illness at US high school?

High school students in the small community of Leroy, New York State, have been coming down with strange tics and verbal outbursts, with no obvious cause.

Some medics believe their symptoms are brought on by mass hysteria, but now environmental activist Erin Brockovich has said she believes a toxic chemical spill 40 years ago could be to blame for the mysterious illness.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16800781 30 January 2012 Last updated at 21:19

[ejpoeta]

1. my sister in law lives in LeRoy and blames the media for making a big deal

out of this. I don't know what it is, but it can't hurt to have people at least seeing if there is some environmental cause for this. The media will do what it does.... Find stories that make it so they don't have to cover things like unemployment and republican obstruction.

[mzmolly]

2. I agree with you. It is a big deal

for the families impacted. And, it may have larger implications if a connection to the illness is discovered due to media pressure.

The local officials are trying to claim hysteria is at issue. I doubt they'd make that claim if boys were suffering.

[Kablooie]

3. Haven't they ever heard of valley girl talk?

Fuck!