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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 116 cases of acute flaccid myelitis this year, a rare polio-like disease that can lead to paralysis, reported HuffPost.
MFA cases occurred in 31 US states, including 15 in Colorado and 14 in Texas. Twelve states reported only one case.
Last week, the CDC announced the launch of a task force to examine the causes of AFD and improve treatments for this disease. Since then, 10 more cases have been confirmed by the agency. In addition, 170 suspicious reports of MFA have not been confirmed.
"I want to reaffirm to our parents, patients and the commitment of our country, the CDC, to this critical illness," said CDC director Robert R. Redfield, in a statement. communicated last week. "This working group will ensure that the scientific community fully utilizes the capabilities and works together to provide important answers and solutions to actively detect, deal more effectively and ultimately prevent the AFM and its aftermath. . "
The United States has seen an increase in the number of AFM cases since 2014. More than 90% of the 440 cases reported in the last four years involved children under 4, reported CNN. The CDC estimates that "less than one to two children in a million in the United States will have AFM every year".
Although AFM is a rare disease, it is severe and affects the nervous system and a part of the spinal cord called gray matter, resulting in a weakening of the body's reflexes and muscle movement, according to the CDC.
"A mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection" has been observed in more than 90% of patients diagnosed with AFM since 2014, the CDC said.
Although Colorado has confirmed the highest number of cases, followed by Texas, it is unclear whether the risk of AFM is higher in these states, or whether they are better able to identify and report them, according to CNN.
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