[ad_1]
ORLANDO, Fla. – In recent months, the mysterious acute disease called flaccid myelitis, known as MFA, has aroused growing curiosity. It is a polio-like disease that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, results in weakness or loss of use of a limb.
Specifically, the AFM affects an area of the spinal cord called gray matter. When the gray matter is affected, the patient may in particular suffer from muscle weakness, partial or total paralysis, difficulty swallowing and even respiratory failure. And although the AFM primarily affects young children, people of all ages have been reported with the disease.
AFM is not new. The CDC tracks the disease's evolution since 2014. But after a surge in the number of cases reported this summer and again two years later, the focus on the MFA had been relatively low – up to 39 percent. ;now.
On October 9, the AFC's CDC surveillance web page indicated that for the first 10 months of 2018, federal health officials had been informed of 38 confirmed cases of AFM in 16 states. The CDC reported that there had been 62 confirmed cases for 2018 spread across 22 states and that an additional 127 cases were under investigation, which brings us to today.
New numbers on the surveillance page for October 23 indicated that the 127 unconfirmed reports now numbered 155. Health officials said the latest figures were for them.
AFM is a bit of a mystery. Doctors do not know exactly what triggers it and researchers have not found any preventive or curative treatment.
As part of Kirstin O'Connor's story this week on AFM, News 6 met with Dr. Ronald Davis, owner of Central Florida's Center for Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy and Deputy Medical Director of Surgery of the United States. Epilepsy at Arnold Palmer Hospital. The following is a partial transcript of our interview with Dr. Davis.
For many of our viewers, AFM is something they have never heard of. Can you summarize what it is?
Dr. Davis: It's a disorder that seems to resemble polio and affects the spinal cord and the nerve connection of the extremities in a way that causes quite deep paralysis.
What do we know about AFM? It's not new, but for many people watching this report, it will be new for them.
Dr. Davis: Fortunately, there are not many cases; it is not new. This has been reported around the world and we have been discovering it for several years. We believe that this is a direct effect of an infection related to a viral disease, in particular either enteroviruses, or an autoimmune response related to this infection: hand-to-hand.
AFM has been described as a virus resembling polio. And because of that, some parents are asking for a new vaccine. Do we need to change the polio vaccine? Do we need to add a new one or are we not really sure?
We are not sure. I think we must first determine exactly what is the causative agent. Vaccines could theoretically be very useful, just like polio. If we could isolate the virus, or the autoimmune response caused by the virus, and then develop a vaccine, that would be wonderful. It is perhaps there that we must go into our next big intervention to try to eliminate or eradicate this disorder.
How do you treat the AFM?
Dr. Davis: It has been very difficult and very unsatisfactory, both as a caregiver and as a parent. Things have been tried, such as IVIG, which consist of a gamma globulin plasma gel in which the blood is taken, trying to clean the immune factors, replace it and using steroids. Until now, there has not been a very good opportunity to see him completely reverse the effect of the AFM. We are always looking for an excellent treatment modality.
One of the mothers (whom we interviewed) described the AFM as a strain of the polio virus. She thinks that they need to create a new strain vaccine. Is it something that is possible or you do not know yet what you are dealing with? Is it too early?
Dr. Davis: It's a little early. It is thought to be related to a particular enterovirus and polio belongs to the class of these enteroviruses, but it is not yet known which strain. At this point, you could not simply get rid of a virus and expect great efficiency.
Until what age did people report having AFM?
Dr. Davis: You know, in other countries, it has also been reported in adulthood.
Who is most at risk for AFM? If there was a target age group for the parents to be very aware, what would it be?
Dr. Davis: It seems to be between 2 and 6.
What are the chances that a child will get AFM? This is not common, right?
Dr. Davis: No, it is very rare, less than one in a million, I believe.
Some people say that it is only one of the side effects of the entire non-vaccination movement in children who do not want to vaccinate. True or false?
Dr. Davis: I think it's wrong. It is always very important to vaccinate your children for other reasons, of course. Do not forget that vaccines have been developed to prevent people from contracting these serious diseases that can lead to death. But in this particular disorder, AFM, vaccinated and unvaccinated children have shown that this happens to them.
Are there genetic links?
Dr. Davis: There are no genetic links now. There is a thought process in those who might have an autoimmune response, from a genetic point of view they might be more inclined to this event, but not a well-defined genetic link.
It's a scary thing for parents. What should they watch for in the behavior of their children or in what is happening with their children to see if it is possible for the child to have AFM?
Dr. Davis: Sometimes there may not be many warning signs. The typical presentation can be a cold, and then you think that you are cured. In the case of one patient we had it not long ago, they woke up and were paralyzed. There was not much warning and it was the most scary part. We must always vaccinate our children well, take care of all our usual health needs, and be aware of simple things, such as washing hands, to try to prevent colds and flu.
Is it contagious?
Dr. Davis: Not to our knowledge. Again, you catch an illness like a cold. This part may be contagious and that is why it is important to wash your hands properly. But then, it seems that after the healing of the acute phase of colds or flu that the symptoms begin to manifest themselves. Again, we think that it is an autoimmune type reaction related to this initial disease. We still have a lot to discover.
How is it frustrating for you?
Dr. Davis: All right. Because you do not like to see that you can not fix the paralysis of the leg of this little girl or this little boy. One day they were normal and the next day they could not walk. We do not want that to happen at first, but when you can not fix it, it makes it even more difficult. Awareness and knowledge is very important because we are trying to develop not only recognition but also treatment and vaccination.
Copyright 2018 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
Source link
