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Mass hysteria among high school girls following tetanus toxoid immunisation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Rajiv Gupta ,
Adarsh K Vohra ,
Vishal Madaan  and
Devinder R Gaur
Vishal Madaan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
Devinder R Gaur
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, 36/9-J, Medical Enclave, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India
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Abstract

Objectives: This report describes an epidemic outbreak of mass hysteria in secondary school girls in a North Indian village following tetanus toxoid injection. It also attempts to identify the aetiological roles of the immunisation programme and the adverse media reports.

Method: The socio-demographic, clinical, and school environment variables of the 58 symptomatic students were evaluated. Interviews with health staff, parents and school teachers were conducted.

Results: Fifty-eight out of 200 immunised students reported giddiness, headache, vomiting and restlessness. This initiated an exaggerated socio-political response. The majority of the students responded to counselling and reassurance.

Conclusions: This outbreak fulfils the criteria of epidemic or communicable hysteria with mass presentations of unusual behaviour and spread of somatic symptoms without any organic basis. The episode exposed flaws in the immunisation programme and suggests the need to formulate clear guidelines for vaccination, including pre-vaccination counselling.

Keywords

HysteriaMass hysteriaImmunisation
Type
Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 18 , Issue 3 , September 2001 , pp. 90 - 92
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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