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This week, the CDC announced that 62 individuals, mostly children, have been diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a condition causing muscle weakness in the arms and legs. While the symptoms are alarming (often compared to polio), it remains an extremely rare disease, and there’s no reason to panic. Medical experts are still investigating the root cause. Here’s what we currently know:
How can we be sure these children aren’t suffering from actual polio?
Polio can be detected through testing, and the CDC confirms that all AFM cases have tested negative for polio so far.
What exactly is polio?
Before the 1950s, when polio vaccines were introduced, polioviruses were frequently found in water and sometimes led to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. In rare cases, those infected experienced severe complications, including paralysis. Historical images of children with leg braces or using iron lungs depict the devastating effects of polio.
Today, polio is exceedingly rare. Only a few dozen cases have been reported globally this year—some caused by the virus itself and others linked to the vaccine, which is a separate issue altogether.
What symptoms should you look out for?
The most alarming symptom is sudden weakness or paralysis in the limbs. An MRI scan, where patients are passed through a large magnetic machine, can detect damage to the spinal cord’s gray matter or signs of infection-fighting white blood cells in the spinal fluid. (The CDC provides a detailed explanation here.)
The long-term outcomes remain uncertain. According to the CDC, “Some AFM patients recover quickly, while others experience prolonged paralysis and require continuous medical care.”
Most cases reported so far involve children, with the average age being 4 years old.
What is the cause of this condition?
This is where the mystery lies. While earlier this year, doctors linked AFM to Enterovirus D68, the CDC now states that this doesn’t account for all cases. Extensive testing has been conducted, but no single virus common to all patients has been identified.
AFM symptoms resemble not only polio but also rare complications from West Nile virus and other illnesses.
Is this a new phenomenon?
Not exactly. The first significant rise in AFM cases occurred in 2014, with 120 cases reported across the country. The CDC believes this might be connected to an enterovirus D68 outbreak during that period, but the cause of this year’s cases remains unclear.
How can I safeguard myself or my children?
This remains unclear since the cause and at-risk groups are still unknown. The CDC recommends basic hygiene practices like handwashing and ensuring vaccinations are up to date, which are generally good health practices regardless.
