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NEW YORK (AP) – More children have been diagnosed with a mysterious paralyzing illness in recent weeks, and U.S. health officials said Tuesday that they are not sure what's causing it.
This year's count could be seen in the same way in 2014 and 2016, officials said. Fortunately, the disease remains rare: This year, there have been 90 cases spread among 27 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
It's not clear what's the cause of some children to lose their face, neck, back, arms or legs. The symptoms tend to occur after a child has a fever and respiratory illness.
Health officials call the condition acute flaccid myelitis. No one has died from this year, but CDC officials say at least half the patients do not recover from the paralysis and some serious complications.
Polio and West Nile viruses have been ruled out. Doctors have suspected the cause of some type of enterovirus, which in most people causes cold symptoms. Goal CDC officials say that's not clear.
The first mysterious wave of paralysis cases in 2014 coincides with a broadcasts of diseases connected to an enterovirus called EV-D68, CDC officials said. But there was no such spike during the waves in 2016 or this year.
There is also a lack of clinical evidence: CDC officials have checked the spinal fluid of the three-quarters of the 90 patients, and found EV-68 in only one. Another type of enterovirus called EV-A71 was found in only one other patient.
But there are questions about that, too. If a virus is the cause, it's possible the test is not good enough, or the spinal fluid by the time the tests were taken, said the CDC's Dr. Nancy Messonnier. It's also possible to be hiding elsewhere in the body.
Or perhaps the paralyzing illnesses are caused by some new germ. Or, there may be some predisposing factors in some patients that cause their immune systems to react to severe paralysis, CDC officials said.
On Tuesday, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar Released the following letter to CDC Director Robert Redfield:
"Dear Director Redfield:"
"I write to express my ongoing concern about the continuing rise of myelitis (AFM), and to request an update on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). AFM and issuing updated clinical guidelines for treatment. "
"Whereas I appreciate your response to my previous letters and willingness to provide staff briefings, important issues remain concerning the CDC's efforts to address the 80 cases of AFM. Accordingly, I respectfully request answers to the following additional questions: "
"1. The CDC has identified many possible causes of AFM. Is there an update to the CDC code for the confirmed cases of AFM? "
"2. Which states have reported cases of AFM, and what is the breakdown of cases for each state? Do you have any other information to AFM? Which states mandates reporting of potential AFM cases to the CDC? Do these or other states only require an indication of anaerobic digestion?
"3. Concerns have been raised that AFM may be under-reported. Does the CDC have an incidence of AFM are currently being under-reported? If so, what factors contribute to the potential impact of under-reporting? "
"4. Is the CDC working with scientific experts to consolidate the existing research on AFM from various universities and other research institutions in an effort to provide the AFM and clinicians the most updated information?
"at. When will the CDC come up for clinical guidance on the AFM treatment? "
"B. I understand that you have expressed support for the establishment of a task force to assess and respond to the recent increase in AFM cases. What would be the benefits of a task force like the one you described, and has the CDC taken action to establish such a task force? If not, would the CDC need additional authority, funding, or resources to agree to a task force?
"5. A child who has become paralyzed from the AFM recently underwent an innovative surgery that has established connections between newly transferred nerves and the affected muscles, thus enabling the child to walk again. Has the CDC studied the safety and effectiveness of AFM cases? What are the diagnoses and other tools of the AFM and can it be discovered?
"6. Does the CDC have an estimate of the overall financial burden of AFM does a long-term health care services? "
"Thank you for your continued work to ensure that vulnerable young patients battling AFM and their families have hope for the future. I look forward to your response. "
Previous and next news: Minnesota Senator Tina Smith and Iowa Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst in the press for more information.
About 120 cases of AFM were confirmed in 2014, the first time such a wave occurred. Another 149 were reported in 2016. In 2015 and 2017, the issues were far lower, and it's not clear why.
The illnesses have spiked in September each year. But it can not be counted in the outbreak. More than 160 cases are still being investigated, and CDC officials said.
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