Rare Paralysis Cases in Children Are Under Investigation in Minnesota

What is A.F.M.

The exact reasons for the onset of the disease are not known, but neurological diseases have a variety of triggers, such as viruses, environmental toxins and genetic disorders, the C.D.C. I said.

In 2014, doctors thought that these cases could be linked to an infection with enterovirus 68, a respiratory virus, according to a New York Times article. A statement released Tuesday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment states that enterovirus 68 and another type, enterovirus 71, have been discovered in almost all cases of A.F.M. of the state. case this year.

"In 2014, few cases were reported," said Jayne Griffith, senior epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health. "So, at that moment, when he burst on the scene, the C.D.C. taken initiatives to make this condition declarable. "

Ms. Griffith stated that cases are usually revealed when parents notice acute muscle weakness or paralysis in their child and take them to a health care provider. A clinical diagnosis, which was given in the six new cases of the state, involves a M.R.I. and a scan or shot of the spine, which detects the inflammation associated with A.F.M.

"It's obviously a lot of concern, but it's rare," Griffith said.

Cynthia Kenyon, another epidemiologist from the Minnesota Department of Health, said that spinal inflammation disorders could come from viruses, other pathogens or toxins. Once the diagnosis is made, health care providers and investigators try to trace the path of the disease to its source.

"From what I understand, if there is an external causal agent, it can be difficult to determine when exposure to this agent occurs," Ms. Kenyon said. "And then, there is a delay up to the inflammation of the spine."

Investigators are still collecting data on the two unconfirmed cases in Minnesota, involving children under the age of 10 with symptoms during the summer, Griffith said.