W5 Reveals Troubling Rise in Childhood Narcolepsy Around the World and Investigates Possible Link to a Swine Flu Vaccine, Saturd

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TORONTO (October 31, 2013) – This week, a W5 international investigation examines the recent spike in cases of narcolepsy among young people. The incurable neurological disorder affects sleeping patterns and often leaves sufferers incapable of staying awake during daytime hours. Premiering Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV, medical specialist Avis Favaro explores this perplexing spike in narcolepsy diagnoses since the H1N1 flu pandemic in 2009. In “SLEEPING SICKNESS”, W5 explores cases of the bewildering medical condition in children as young as three years old, and examines possible ties to the virus itself, along with one H1N1 vaccine.

Parents Ian and Christine allowed W5 to film their 8-year-old daughter Makenna to help others understand the nightmarish reality of childhood narcolepsy. Perfectly healthy as a young child, Makenna now suffers from severe daytime sleepiness and requires several naps each day. Her severe narcolepsy is also accompanied by cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control that causes collapse. The symptoms are triggered by intense emotions including surprise, anger or even laughter. Makenna takes powerful drugs to try to help keep the symptoms at bay but still endures nearly a dozen cataplexy episodes each day. The unpredictable collapses and sleepiness means she may never be able to safely conduct activities as commonplace as swimming for fear of drowning.

Further investigation by W5 uncovers similar cases in children and teens across Canada and around the world – an unprecedented spike since 2010. A world expert on Narcolepsy suspects the swine flu may be behind many of these cases. But studies are also linking a vaccine used to protect against the swine flu with possibly triggering this rare disorder in some young people. The governments of Sweden, Finland, and the U.K. are in the process compensating severely affected children who were diagnosed with narcolepsy after receiving an H1N1 vaccine called Pandremix, made by Glaxo SmithKlein. The drug company has acknowledged the data “suggests an increased risk of narcolepsy following vaccination with Pandremix” and is conducting further research into the matter.

In Canada, the picture is less clear. A vaccine similar to Pandremix was used here, containing a powerful immune booster that researchers wonder may have sparked the narcolepsy in patients already susceptible to the disorder. Only five cases of narcolepsy in children have so far been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Nevertheless, some doctors suggest this may be a much larger issue, as the symptoms of narcolepsy can take years to properly diagnose.

W5 also airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on CTV Two, and can be seen on Investigation Discovery on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET, and Wednesdays 12 noon ET; on demand at CTVNews.ca/W5; the CTV App, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners, such as Bell Fibe TV (visit CTV.ca for local listings). W5 is also simulcast in Toronto on CFRB NEWSTALK1010.

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About W5

With an ongoing commitment to covering tough, relevant stories with fair and responsible reporting, W5 is in its 48th season of investigative journalism. Hosted by CTV NATIONAL NEWS’ Lloyd Robertson, the award-winning series is the most-watched documentary program in Canada. Anton Koschany is Executive Producer of W5. Brett Mitchell is Senior Producer. Wendy Freeman is President, CTV News.

About CTV
CTV is Canada’s #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network’s website at ctv.ca.

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