Portuguese "Morangos com Açúcar" Virus (2006)

In May 2006, Portuguese schools experienced an outbreak of the "Morangos com Açúcar Virus," with over 300 students at 14 schools reporting symptoms mirroring those in a recent episode of the popular youth soap opera. Symptoms included rashes, difficulty breathing, and dizziness, leading to school closures. The Portuguese National Institute for Medical Emergency attributed the illness to mass hysteria, causing concern among parents about the series' influence on children and teenagers.