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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not know why young children across the country are contracting a rare disease called flaccid acute myelitis. Many consider AFM to be a "polio-like" disease because it causes weakness and paralysis of children's arms and legs.
Doctors say the illness starts with a cold, but the virus attacks the spinal cord. Some patients would have needed respiratory assistance.
State health services have reported an increase in the number of AFM cases confirmed in recent months. This year, the CDC reported 62 cases in 22 states. Midwestern states account for 40% of all confirmed cases, including Illinois with 10 confirmed cases. Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio each have a case.
In an information session, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, Director of the CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, did not know, despite many laboratory tests, the causes of the weakness and paralysis of the arms or legs of most patients.
"I am frustrated that, despite all our efforts, we have not been able to identify the cause of this mysterious disease," said Messonnier. "We are continuing our research to better understand the clinical picture of MFA cases, the risk factors and the possible causes of the increase in the number of cases."
Doctors and researchers do not know how or why AFM appears in children and why cases occur in late summer and fall.
Dr. John Christenson is Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Riley's Children's Health in Indianapolis. He focuses on pediatric infectious diseases and says children may be at higher risk because their immune system is weakened.
"What happens is that over time, you build immunity," Christenson said. "As an adult, you are probably less likely to have some of these symptoms due to any of these viruses than if you were a young child."
The CDC has the impression that AFM can be caused by other viruses, such as enterovirus or West Nile virus. Environmental toxins or a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys body tissues may also be factors.
Christenson understands why parents are concerned and says that prevention is the key.
"We do not have a vaccine. But for other viruses, other types of bacteria that can cause a disease very similar to this, we have ways to prevent them. Everyone should be vaccinated against the flu, "said Christenson.
The CDC reports that the chances of contracting the AFM are less than one in a million. There are 155 cases under investigation at the national level.
Parents should seek immediate medical attention if a child develops symptoms of AFM, including sudden weakness and loss of muscle tone in the arms or legs. Parents can also help protect their children by encouraging handwashing, respecting the recommended vaccines and using an insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites.
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