Mississippi has its fair share of urban legends. However, the strangest is the Mercritis Outbreak of the 1950s. Generations of local lore contend that Mercritis was an infectious disease that, among other things, transformed women into homicidal maniacs. Like any other urban legend, there’s no proof the outbreak ever occurred, but that doesn’t make the unusual tale any less intriguing. Take a look:

If you look up “Mercritis” online, you won’t find much about it.

Jared Goralnick/Flickr However, if you’re from Mississippi, you’ve probably heard older relatives mention it.

The legend states that men could get Mercritis by ingesting large amounts of lead from paint or some other source.

Thester11/Wikimedia Ingesting lead paint? Let’s leave that decorating to the many majestic homes and other historical structures found throughout the state!

The disease would then cause him to secrete a chemical that, in turn, caused nearby women to “descend into a homicidal rage.”

Tom Simpsom/Flickr There have been some creepy legends about women in Mississippi but this one seems particularly cruel.

Women that were usually loving and friendly would instantly become irrational and erratic.

Patrick Q/Flickr

Allegedly, the first case of Mericritis occurred in Europe.

Patrick Q/Flickr There it supposedly began when a local man was chased by a dozen women through his seaside village. So just how did this disease get to Mississippi towns?

In a desperate attempt to evade them, he jumped into the water with temperatures well below freezing.

Craig Upshaw/Flickr Without hesitation or regard for their own safety, the women followed. It’s said that he and all of the female attackers drowned in the icy waters.

By the 1950s, the frightening disease made its way to a small town in Mississippi.

Tim Fuller/Flickr While the specific small Mississippi town isn’t named, the Mercritis outbreak supposedly occurred after several men ingested large amounts of lead.

Not long after the men consumed the lead, local women wreaked havoc on the town.

cyphunk/Flickr They swept through the streets with one mission – to kill every man they could find.

Though the Mercritis Outbreak is deemed an urban legend, many believe it’s much more than that.

Subconsci Productions/Flickr One theory is that the medical community covered it up, since they couldn’t come up with a cure or explanation for the mysterious illness. Whether it was true or simply legend, it seems like the Mercritis incident will just remain as one of those unsolved Mississippi mysteries.

So, were you aware of this urban legend? Have you ever heard relatives talking about it? Tell us in the comments section.

Jared Goralnick/Flickr

However, if you’re from Mississippi, you’ve probably heard older relatives mention it.

Thester11/Wikimedia

Ingesting lead paint? Let’s leave that decorating to the many majestic homes and other historical structures found throughout the state!

Tom Simpsom/Flickr

There have been some creepy legends about women in Mississippi but this one seems particularly cruel.

Patrick Q/Flickr

There it supposedly began when a local man was chased by a dozen women through his seaside village. So just how did this disease get to Mississippi towns?

Craig Upshaw/Flickr

Without hesitation or regard for their own safety, the women followed. It’s said that he and all of the female attackers drowned in the icy waters.

Tim Fuller/Flickr

While the specific small Mississippi town isn’t named, the Mercritis outbreak supposedly occurred after several men ingested large amounts of lead.

cyphunk/Flickr

They swept through the streets with one mission – to kill every man they could find.

Subconsci Productions/Flickr

One theory is that the medical community covered it up, since they couldn’t come up with a cure or explanation for the mysterious illness. Whether it was true or simply legend, it seems like the Mercritis incident will just remain as one of those unsolved Mississippi mysteries.

Read about the state’s other urban legends in “These 8 Urban Legends In Mississippi Will Keep You Awake At Night.“

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Unusual Adventures in Mississippi December 30, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin What are some other urban legends in Mississippi? Who knows why but there seem to be quite a few urban legends in Mississippi. There is the one about the three-legged lady that haunts people driving down the road, the haunted roads laced with paranormal activity, and the many haunted homes dotted all over the state. We’re looking for unique day trips in Mississippi. Unique day trips in Mississippi are numerous, each one offering distinctive insights into the state’s history, landscape, cultural entities, and so much more. You might consider a few of these on your next adventures out and about:

Sail Away to Ship Island Rock ‘n Stroll in Tupelo Travel Back in Time at Landrum’s Homestead & Village Spend the Day in the Ghost Town of Rodney Go Museum Hopping in Jackson Go for a Drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway

  Where can we find some hidden gems in Mississippi? There are tons of hidden gems in Mississippi and each one seems to make you fall in love with The Magnolia State even more. Take some to explore these awesome spots:

Chautauqua Park and the Treetop Trail in Crystal Springs The Red Bluff near Morgantown The Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area near Belzoni Cat’s Den Cave Preserve in Smith County

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Unusual Adventures in Mississippi

December 30, 2022

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

What are some other urban legends in Mississippi? Who knows why but there seem to be quite a few urban legends in Mississippi. There is the one about the three-legged lady that haunts people driving down the road, the haunted roads laced with paranormal activity, and the many haunted homes dotted all over the state. We’re looking for unique day trips in Mississippi. Unique day trips in Mississippi are numerous, each one offering distinctive insights into the state’s history, landscape, cultural entities, and so much more. You might consider a few of these on your next adventures out and about:

Sail Away to Ship Island Rock ‘n Stroll in Tupelo Travel Back in Time at Landrum’s Homestead & Village Spend the Day in the Ghost Town of Rodney Go Museum Hopping in Jackson Go for a Drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway

  Where can we find some hidden gems in Mississippi? There are tons of hidden gems in Mississippi and each one seems to make you fall in love with The Magnolia State even more. Take some to explore these awesome spots:

Chautauqua Park and the Treetop Trail in Crystal Springs The Red Bluff near Morgantown The Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area near Belzoni Cat’s Den Cave Preserve in Smith County

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Who knows why but there seem to be quite a few urban legends in Mississippi. There is the one about the three-legged lady that haunts people driving down the road, the haunted roads laced with paranormal activity, and the many haunted homes dotted all over the state.

We’re looking for unique day trips in Mississippi.

Unique day trips in Mississippi are numerous, each one offering distinctive insights into the state’s history, landscape, cultural entities, and so much more. You might consider a few of these on your next adventures out and about:

  • Sail Away to Ship Island
  • Rock ‘n Stroll in Tupelo
  • Travel Back in Time at Landrum’s Homestead & Village
  • Spend the Day in the Ghost Town of Rodney
  • Go Museum Hopping in Jackson
  • Go for a Drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway

 

Where can we find some hidden gems in Mississippi?

There are tons of hidden gems in Mississippi and each one seems to make you fall in love with The Magnolia State even more. Take some to explore these awesome spots:

  • Chautauqua Park and the Treetop Trail in Crystal Springs
  • The Red Bluff near Morgantown
  • The Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area near Belzoni
  • Cat’s Den Cave Preserve in Smith County