[ad_1]
ATLANTA – There are new details about a new mysterious illness that paralyzes children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta, have now confirmed 10 more cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM.
The last patients bring to 72 this year's total. The disease has been reported in 24 states, including Georgia.
Doctors tell us why the AFM is more prevalent this fall on Channel 2 Action News This Morning.
Related stories:
- Among those diagnosed with AFM since August 2014:
- The cause of most cases of AFM remains unknown.
- We do not know what caused the increase in the number of MFA cases from 2014.
- We have not yet determined who is most likely to develop the AFM, nor the reasons why they might be more exposed.
- We do not yet know the long-term effects of AFM. We know that some patients diagnosed with AFM have recovered quickly, and some continue to be paralyzed and in need of ongoing care.
The CDC is actively studying cases of AFM and monitoring the activity of the disease. We work closely with health care providers and state and local health departments to increase awareness of MFA. Health care providers are encouraged to identify and report suspected cases of AFM to their health services, and to have them send this information to the CDC to help us understand the national burden of AFD. CDC is also actively investigating risk factors and possible causes of this disease.
The activities of the CDC include:
- Urge health care providers to be vigilant with the AFM to their patients and to send information about suspected cases to their health services
- Verification of clinical information on suspected cases of MMA submitted by health services and collaboration with health services and neurologists to categorize cases with the help of a case definition adopted by the Board of Directors. State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE)
- Testing of samples, including stool, blood and cerebrospinal fluid, from suspected cases of MFA
- Work with health care providers, experts and state and local health departments to investigate and better understand AFM cases, including potential causes and frequency of onset
- Provide new and up-to-date information to health care providers, health departments, policy makers, the public and partners in various forms, such as journals and scientific meetings, as well as on the AFM website and the media of CDC.
- Use of several research methods to further explore the potential association of AFM with possible causes as well as risk factors for AFM. This involves working with experts to review MRI scans of people over the last 10 years to determine the number of AFM cases identified prior to 2014, update treatment and management protocols, and use multiple academic centers. to simultaneously conduct active surveillance of MFA viruses and respiratory viruses.
© 2018 Cox Media Group.
[ad_2]
Source link
