In a blog post last summer, we reported that new studies indicated that there is no link between a virus and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Scientists have now even more firmly concluded that the virus theory is all but "dead and buried."

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a debilitating illness, and a frustrating one at that. There is no cure and it is notoriously difficult to diagnose. The new theory had given many sufferers hope, and many are disappointed that recent studies linking the disease to a virus just aren't true.

Just prior to the holidays, two big science publishers, Science and Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, withdrew published papers that claimed the disease was linked to a virus carried by its sufferers.

The studies apparently caused blood banks to ban people suffering from the disease from donating blood. The research also cost tens of millions of dollars in the U.S. Scientists think the problems with the studies had to do with contamination of tiny amounts of DNA from mice. No fraud or malpractice is suspected.

A medical sciences professor says it's natural that people with the disease were excited about the discovery, and then disappointed about the result. According to ABC News, the professor advises caution about breakthroughs so that "harm does not come to patients as a result of premature interpretations or treatments."

17 million people worldwide suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. They are waiting and hoping for a cure someday.

Source: ABC News, "Virus theory of chronic fatigue dismissed," Nonee Walsh, Jan. 5, 2012