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Whilst there is growing evidence that genetic factors may predispose people to getting ME/CFS when the right trigger (normally an infection) comes along, and this may help to explain why ME/CFS sometimes occurs in more than one family member, there is no evidence that ME/CFS can be transmitted from person to person.

The current consensus view is that while a variety of infections (mainly viral) can trigger ME/CFS there is very little evidence to show that ME/CFS is then perpetuated by a persisting viral infection (as in the case of hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS - where it is possible to transmit the infection and the illness that accompanies it).

I would add that no hard research has been carried out looking at partners of people with ME/CFS. So this reassurance is given on the basis of what we know about the illness and the fact that we (the MEA) receive very few reports of non blood close contact relatives, friends, etc developing ME/CFS.

"Thinker"
While I acknowledge the information provided by Dr. Shepherd I find it difficult to reconcile this with my own personal experience ( see post "Is M.E. Infectious"). Like you, the common factor between myself and the four others who became ill was that there was close physical contact( two of the four are ex-boyfriends). Furthermore, this "cluster" is not on record anywhere since we all have a different diagnosis: Fibromyalgia, CFS, Possible MS, possible de-myelinating illness and infection with a neuropathic virus.
While neurologists remain unable to diagnose M.E. accurately it will remain very difficult to establish whether or not there is an infectious basis.

Whilst there is no doubt that an acute infection is a common trigger for CFS, the question is: to what extent does chronic infection perpetuate the fatigue? I have struggled with this question for years! There is a body of evidence pointing to chronic infections such as Lyme disease, borreliosis, mycoplasma, HHV, Epstein Barr, cytomegalovirus,XMRV etc. present in CFS patients together with various trials showing benefits from anti-microbials. T

http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Chronic_ ... ons_in_CFS

Lyme disease has a number of features that overlap with ME/CFS but there is no sound evidence to show that Lyme disease is also commonly present in people with ME/CFS

The evidence relating to mycoplasma infection in ME/CFS isn't very sound (in my opinion)

There is conflicting evidence relating to the role of various herpes virus infections (eg EBV, HHV-6, cytomegalovirus) but this is a case of reactivation of latent (dormant) infections. The ME Biobank at UCL is about to investigate this in detail with a grant from NIH in America.

The evidence from clinical trials relating to the use of antiviral drugs (especially valganciclovir) is interesting but only preliminary at this stage

Chasing XMRV turned out to be a very expensive red herring. No evidence that XMRV is linked to ME/CFS.

It is an interesting datum that while ME/CFS (and yes, I know there's a discussion right there) is now very largely seen and considered by individual cases, several of the earliest incidents leading to the recognition of the condition or conditions presented as "outbreaks". In London in 1955, for example.

"Ramsay, the consultant in charge of the patients who developed ME during the summer
of 1955 at various hospitals in North London, became recognized as a world authority on this illness until his death. Ramsay described “muscle fatiguability after minimal exertion plus the delay in the recovery of muscle power, often lasting up to five days; the involvement of the central nervous system, including cardinal features such as... Ramsay considered ME to be an acute illness
which often becomes chronic."

The "outbreak" phenomenon, though not at all common on a global scale, has a continuing history along with the normal (?) more individual presentation.
I have not seen much modern discussion of this.

Chris.