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ST. George- The Southern Nevada Health District announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed the first case of acute flaccid myelitis in a child in Clark County, Nevada.
This confirmed case – as well as others in Colorado and Arizona – has resulted in almost all of boxing in Utah; However, at this stage, no disease has been reported in the Beehive state.
AFM is a rare but serious disease that affects the nervous system and causes symptoms similar to those of polio. So far this year, there have been 62 confirmed cases in 22 US states, according to estimates. CDC. Colorado has the most confirmed cases so far, with 15 reports.
The Southern Nevada Health District will not disclose any identification information related to individual cases of disease. The district is working with the Nevada Division of Public Health and Behavioral and the CDC to investigate other suspected cases of MFA.
AFM is not new, but relatively rare and affects less than one in a million people in the United States each year. According to the CDC, a total of 386 cases have been confirmed in the country since 2014, the year in which the case reports increased significantly.
AFM is most common in children. The symptoms of the disease are very similar to those seen in patients with certain viruses, including polioviruses, non-polio enteroviruses, adenoviruses and West Nile virus, according to the CDC. However, until now, all AFM patients have had a negative test for poliovirus.
Although the Southwestern Utah Department of Public Health does not necessarily fear a local outbreak, they have put in place an intervention plan, said David Heaton, public information officer at SWUPHD..
The AFM is considered a "reportable disease", which means that a doctor or laboratory confirming a case must report it to the health department so that it can begin the process of determining of the cause in order to protect others. The AFM is serious enough that the CDC is also involved in the response, Heaton said.
"It's rare enough not to worry," he said. "Although anyone who has a baby or child who has sudden limb weakness or paralysis should definitely consult him. Whatever the cause, it is usually a good reason to seek medical care for your child. "
AFM affects the nervous system, especially the gray matter area of the spinal cord. The condition weakens muscles and reflexes in certain parts of the body. In addition to limb weakness, the other symptoms of AFM are:
- Sagging face and weakness.
- Difficulty moving the eyes or drooping eyelids.
- Difficulty swallowing or difficulty speaking.
Less common symptoms include numbness or tingling, pain in the arms or legs and an inability to urinate. Serious complications such as respiratory failure can occur in rare cases. According to the CDC, it is possible, although unlikely, that the process that causes the AFM will trigger other serious neurological conditions and lead to death.
The exact cause of AFM is unknown, but possible causes include a variety of viruses, environmental toxins and genetic disorders, according to the CDC. This can also be a complication following a viral infection.
The CDC has been investigate the cause of the AFM since 2014. They have tested on many patients a wide range of germs that could potentially be the cause, but so far, none has been homogeneous in all patients .
AFM is diagnosed by examining the patient's nervous system, taking MRI, and testing cerebrospinal fluid.
The long-term effects of AFM are still unknown. Some patients recover quickly while others continue to be paralyzed and require ongoing care.
The AFM treatment is determined on a case by case basis. Patients are usually referred to a neurologist who may recommend a physical or occupational therapy to alleviate weakness of the arms or legs.
Although the cause of the AFM is unknown, the CDC recommends that people take regular preventive measures to prevent spreading them and stay healthy. It is important to wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap, cover up coughs and sneezes, stay home in case of illness, stay informed about all vaccinations and use an insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews | @ MikaylaShoup
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