62 cases of MFA, a disease resembling polio, were confirmed in 22 states: CDC

There are currently 62 confirmed reports of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, a polio-like disease, in 22 states of the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of September 20, the CDC had confirmed 38 cases in 16 states, which were not required to report AFM cases to the CDC.

This year's figures are similar to those of 2016 and 2014. Since 2014, 386 cases have been confirmed, the CDC said Tuesday. Currently, 127 patients are under investigation. The average age of sufferers is 4 years and 90% of people with AFM are 18 years old or younger.

"This remains a rare syndrome, but the similarities with polio-like polio are worrying and need to be closely monitored," said Dr. Todd Ellerin, director of infectious diseases at South Shore Hospital. from Boston, during an interview. "Now, is it going to be as widespread as that? Let's hope not, and that's why we have to keep an eye on that."

Acute flaccid myelitis affects the spinal cord and can cause partial paralysis. It mainly affects children and young adults and can be caused by environmental toxins, genetic disorders or viruses such as poliovirus, West Nile virus or adenovirus.

Another potential cause of AFM is a type of enterovirus called EV D68, Todd said.

"It's important because enteroviruses are causing colds," Ellerin said. "It causes fever diseases in summer and autumn, often associated with rashes.It causes foot-and-mouth disease.It causes a lot of what [are] very benign type of nuisance-type diseases ".

The typical symptoms of AFM are similar to those of a severe respiratory disease, accompanied by a fever, but they often evolve to neurological symptoms. Some with AFM will experience weakness in the arms or legs, loss of muscle tone or slower reflexes. The most serious symptom is respiratory failure.

People can protect themselves from contracting the AFM by using methods similar to preventing the flu, Ellerin said.

Until now, the disease has been a death in the United States.

Ellerin said the staff at his hospital had been trained in symptom recognition and was encouraging medical centers to train employees the same way before it was too late.

"We want to see this education," he said, "in order to be quickly recognized and detected."