In October 2007 an astute medical interpreter noticed similar neurological symptoms being reported by Spanish-speaking patients seeking treatment from different physicians at the Austin Medical Center, in Austin, Minnesota. Not only did these patients share similar neurological symptoms, they also worked at the same pork processing plant. Dr. Daniel LaChance, a physician at both the Austin Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic in nearby Rochester, Minnesota, was notified. He launched a request to area physicians to refer other patients with similar symptoms to him. The Minnesota Department of Health was notified and began an investigation into the "outbreak." They identified workers from two other pork processing plants in Indiana and Nebraska who also had parallel neurological complaints. Several agencies including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention were brought in to assist. Simultaneously investigations were conducted to rule out contagious disease, to locate the source or carrier, and to identify what exactly was causing these workers to develop these symptoms. Removal from exposure was the first line of treatment. Due to<unk>  sensory loss and weakness, immunotherapy was often required. These treatments included intravenous methylprednisolone, oral prednisone, azathioprine, and/or immunoglobulin. All 24 patients improved, including 7 who received no treatment and 17 who required immunotherapy.
Progressive inflammatory neuropathy
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Acute motor axonal neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy
Small fiber peripheral neuropathy
Vasculitic neuropathy
Alcoholic polyneuropathy
Proximal diabetic neuropathy