3 cases of polio-like illness that may cause confirmed paralysis in Pennsylvania

According to a federal health official, 62 confirmed cases this year, including three in Pennsylvania, have been reported across the country. A rare case, similar to polio, that mainly affects children and can cause paralysis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 93 other possible cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, are under investigation and that the number of patients who seem to be affected since August has increased. .

Infectious disease experts closely monitor the progress of positive relationships. Between August 2014 and September 2018, the CDC received information on 386 confirmed cases in the United States, most of which occurred in children.

Despite the increase observed since 2014, the disease remains very rare and affects about one in a million people a year.

What is known

Infectious disease experts are still trying to explain the causes of AFD, but they are learning more.

The disease affects the spinal cord and causes weakness in one or more limbs, said Dr. Debra Powell, head of the infectious diseases section and medical director of infection control at Reading Hospital. . It has been found in 22 states this year.

Some patients may have paralysis. They may also have a drooping face and have trouble swallowing and moving their eyes.

The CDC said that the average age of patients with this disease was about 4 years and that more than 90% of cases involved children 18 years old and under.

Last week, the state health department announced three confirmed cases in Pennsylvania and one suspected case under investigation. The patients were treated in children's hospitals in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

"Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare and life-threatening disease that affects residents throughout the state," said Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Health Secretary, in a statement released last week. "At this time, the exact causes or source of this disease are unknown."

Still to be determined

Powell said the disease had some similarities with polio and West Nile virus, but more information was needed to establish a complete profile of the disease.

We do not know how the condition is transmitted. It could be transmitted orally via water or contaminated food or by a mosquito.

The recovery of the patient also seems to vary. Powell said that there was not much information on why some patients are recovering, while others have paralysis and persistent symptoms.

"I'm not sure we have a lot of data," Powell said.

Although the cause of the transmission is unknown, the state health department says it's still a good idea for people to stay up-to-date on their vaccines and to wash their hands.

Study and investigation

Powell said she hoped to learn more about the disease as the CDC continues to collect samples and study it. Possible treatment remains to be determined, but it will depend on the cause of the disease.

"There is no cure for many viral diseases," Powell said. "The best we can do is determine the cause of the disease and create a vaccine to prevent it."

If parents notice any of the symptoms in their children, they should go immediately to the hospital, Powell said. They will probably need a higher level of care in a children's hospital.

As studies progressed, Powell said that the public would get additional information.

"There is more to come," she says.