Three children hit by polio-like virus in Georgia

By Andy Miller

Georgia Health Network

Three children from Georgia have been reported with a rare health condition, similar to that of polio, state officials said.

Young patients, whose sites have not been identified, are among 62 children in the nation who have been confirmed by acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

At least another 65 cases in the country are still under investigation, added CDC officials.

There is no known cause of AFM, whose symptoms include weakness of the arms or legs and sometimes paralysis.

The CDC found an increase in this type of acute flaccid paralysis in children in 2014. At the same time, an outbreak of enterovirus was reported nationally, said Nancy Nydam, spokesperson from the Ministry of Public Health of Georgia.

Since then, the CDC has asked states to report suspected cases of AFM.

Dr. Sumit Verma is the Medical Director of the Neuromuscular Program at Children's Healthcare Atlanta. He said the state's pediatric system has registered 10 to 12 cases of MFA since 2016.

The AFM affects the nervous system, especially the area of ​​the spinal cord called "gray matter". It weakens or even paralyzes the reflexes of the body. Cases of MFA are characterized by the sudden onset of weakness of the arms or legs, as well as a loss of muscle tone and reflexes, reported CBS News.

Symptoms include sudden muscle weakness in the arms or legs, often as a result of a respiratory illness. Some other symptoms include weakness or stiffness of the neck, drooping eyelids or a looseness of the face and difficulty swallowing or having speech problems, public health officials said.

The symptoms are compared to those caused by polio, which was eradicated in the United States after the development of polio vaccine.

The CDC pointed out that none of the children diagnosed with AFM or who had similar symptoms had the polio virus.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier is the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. She has said so far, no common cause linking these diseases has been found.

"We do not know a lot about AFM," said Messonnier. "I am frustrated that despite all our efforts, we have not been able to identify the cause of this mysterious disease."

The average age of affected children is about 4 years, she said. Ninety percent of cases studied by the CDC since 2014 involved patients aged 18 years or younger.

Messonnier said that scientists do not fully understand the long-term consequences of the disease.

"We know that some patients who have been diagnosed with AFM have recovered quickly, and some are still paralyzed and in need of ongoing care," she said.

There is no cure for acute flaccid myelitis, but there are ways to manage the symptoms, Dr. Verma added.

He added that rehabilitation can also improve function and quality of life.

"It's a very slow rehabilitation and recovery," Verma said. "The majority of children have persistent weakness.

"It's very rare," he added. "We do not need to panic about it."

Messonnier accepted. "We know it can be scary for parents. I encourage parents to seek immediate medical attention if you or your child develop sudden weakness or loss of muscle tone in the arms and legs. "

Since the disease was first recognized by the CDC in 2014, the agency confirmed 386 cases nationally until October 16, mostly in children.

According to Messonnier, doctors may report less severe cases of AMF to their health department or CDC. But that number would be small, she added.

"It's actually a pretty dramatic disease," said Messonnier. "These children have a sudden onset of weakness, and they typically seek medical care, are evaluated by neurologists, infectious disease physicians and their pediatricians and engage in public health education."

Although there is no known cause of AFM, the possible sources being the viruses that affect the digestive system, called enteroviruses, and the rhinovirus strains, responsible for the common cold, said Messonnier .

The CDC said it was considering the possibility that environmental toxins could trigger sudden muscle weakness. They do not exclude possible genetic disorders.

The state's Department of Public Health said the best prevention message is to make sure children wash their hands, cover a cough or sneeze, and stay home when they're sick . Parents should also make sure that their children are up to date with vaccines.

Parents should contact their child's pediatrician as soon as possible if they detect a symptom of MFA, for example if their child is not using his arm.