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Federal health officials worry about the increase of a rare and mysterious disease that mainly affects children and can paralyze the arms and legs. 127 confirmed or suspected cases were reported on Tuesday.
Of these, 62 cases have been confirmed in 22 states, according to Nancy Messonnier, senior manager of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 90% of confirmed cases were in children aged 18 and under, the average age being 4 years.
[[[[In Maryland, five children could have a polio-like illness, according to a CDC survey]
There is no specific treatment for the disorder and long-term results are unknown. This rare but serious disorder affects a person's nervous system, especially the spinal cord. Neurological conditions such as this one have various causes, such as viruses, environmental toxins and genetic disorders.
The increase in the number of cases has occurred since 2014, with the number of cases surging in August and September, she said at a press briefing with reporters. A child with the disease died in 2017. Officials were disconcerted by this increase and began counting suspected and confirmed cases to better anticipate increases in confirmed cases in the coming months.
"We understand that people, especially parents, are worried about MFA," she said, referring to the disease, acute flaccid myelitis. Despite numerous laboratory and other tests, the CDC was unable to find the cause of the majority of cases. "We do not know much about the AFM and I am frustrated that despite all our efforts, we have not been able to identify the cause of this mysterious disease."
Read more:
A toddler could not move his arm. Doctors have discovered a polio-like illness.
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