By Steve Orr, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
The state Department of Health has just released a nine-page report of the investigation into the cluster of Le Roy students suffering from unusual neurological symptoms, providing the first detailed look at the inquiry into the cluster of illnesses that has drawn international attention.
WEB EXTRA: Click here to read the full report
The report's release, plus a hastily announced public meeting in Le Roy Saturday morning to discuss additional testing at the high school, appear to be a response to revelation in recent days that the number of afflicted students has grown to 19, plus an adult who lives in the Genesee County town. All have displayed some degree of involuntary twitches and verbal outbursts.
The report and meeting also may be a response to calls by parents and others for more information and government action.
The public meeting will be from 9 to 10 a.m. at the high school auditorium, 9300 S. Street Road.
In the report, the health department lays out the investigation by private physicians, public health and school officials and others into the first 12 cases. It explains why environmental contaminants, infectious agents, vaccines, organic tic disorders and other possible explanations for the symptoms were ruled out.
Neurologists who have treated many of the afflicted people say they suffer from conversion disorder, a psychological condition where stress or trauma can cause a person to display physical symptoms ranging from tics to partial paralysis.
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By Steve Orr, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle