Polio-like epidemic: CDC confirms 62 cases of flaccid acute myelitis, affecting mainly children

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 62 cases of rare neurological disease similar to polio acute flaccid myelitis, also known as AFM, so far this year in the United States. More than 90% of cases involved children aged 18 and under, averaging only 4 years of age.

Cases have been confirmed in 22 states. Officials reported examining another 65 possible cases of AFM.

AFM is a disease that affects the nervous system, especially the area of ​​the spinal cord called gray matter. The muscles and reflexes of the body weaken or even paralyze. MFA cases are characterized by the sudden onset of weakness of the arms or legs and by a loss of muscle tone and reflexes.

Its symptoms are compared to those caused by polio, which was eradicated in the United States with polio vaccine. The CDC pointed out that none of the children who developed these symptoms had the polio virus.

Additional symptoms may include sagging or weakening of the face, difficulty swallowing and slurred speech.

Health experts say the disease can cause paralysis and even death, but no deaths have been reported this year.

"We know this can be scary for parents," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, during a press briefing on Tuesday. "I encourage parents to seek proper care if you or your child develop sudden weakness or loss of muscle tone in the arms and legs."

The AFM is extremely rare, with the CDC estimating that less than one in a million people in the United States will get the AFM each year.

Nevertheless, officials have seen a slight increase in 2014 and 2016, with peaks towards the end of summer and autumn. This pattern seems to be repeated this year.

Medical experts do not really know what causes AFM, but this can result from various viral diseases, including enteroviruses, West Nile virus and adenoviruses.

"It's really a mysterious disease," said Messionier at CBS News. "In reality, we do not know what is causing this increase, for some of the previous cases we have identified one pathogen or another, but we do not have a unifying diagnosis."

Messonnier said that among confirmed cases this year, none had been associated with the polio virus or West Nile virus. Several cases have been linked to enteroviruses or other germs, but the authorities have not been able to find a cause in the majority of these cases.

In addition, the CDC does not yet know who is likely to have a higher risk of developing AFM or the long-term consequences of the disease. Some patients recover completely, while others continue to struggle with muscle weakness.

The CDC is aware of a death that occurred in a child with MFA in 2017, said Messonnier.

There is no specific treatment for AFM, but doctors may recommend a physical or occupational therapy to alleviate weakness of the arms or legs.

The researchers at the Los Angeles Children's Hospital are pioneer of a new therapeutic surgery of nerve transfer to help AFM patients regain momentum.

Messonnier said that parents should be aware of the symptoms and consult a doctor if they notice sudden muscle weakness in their children. They can also help prevent the AFM by taking steps to protect children from serious diseases, including frequent hand washing, compliance with vaccinations and prevention of mosquito bites.