First confirmed case of MFA reported in Nebraska

OMAHA, Nb. – The first confirmed case of acute flaccid myelitis (AMF), a disease causing muscle weakness, has been reported to the Department of Health and Human Services (Nebraska).

The child, from the Sarpy / Cass Department of Health, was hospitalized and released.

Another case reported in Douglas County has not been confirmed after extensive review by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The patient met some, but not all, criteria to be a confirmed case of MFA. Another suspect case also in Sarpy / Cass's health department is currently undergoing additional testing at the CDC.

"AFM is a rare but serious condition that affects mostly children, and we are closely monitoring cases that have occurred in Nebraska over the last four years," said Dr. Tom Safranek, DHHS State Epidemiologist. "There is still a lot to learn about the AFM and further studies are needed. State and local health departments are working with federal partners to investigate cases and possible causes. "

The AFM is not new, but the increase in the number of cases from 2014 on a national scale is new. Between August 2014 and October 2018, there were a total of 440 confirmed cases of MFA in the United States.