There's been a spike in a rare polio-like disease that mostly affects children.
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM),is a rare but serious condition. It affects the nervous system, specifically the area of spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. This condition is not new, but the increase in cases that was was seen since 2014 is new.
"From August 2014 through August 2018 the CDC has received information on a total of 362 cases of AMF across the U-S, " says Kate Fowlie with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
AFM is a rare disease that may have a variety of possible causes such as viruses, environmental toxins and genetic disorders. Some viruses that can cause AFM are poliovirus and non-polio enteroviruses, West Nile virus, encephalitis and Saint Louis encephalitis. Oftentimes, despite extensive lab tests, the cause of a patient's AMF is unknown.
Symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis include sudden onset of weakness in the arms or legs, as well as drooping facial muscles, including the eyelids, and difficulty moving the eyes. Most patients end up being hospitalized. Infection can lead to death is come cases.
While fewer than 1 in a million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with AFM each year, the CDC is concerned about the recurrent outbreaks, especially given the mysterious nature of the illness.
There have been 10 cases in Georgia over the past five years, that includes two cases so far this year. In 2016 Georgia had fives cases. The other years only had one reported case.
3 year old Carter from Bartow county was diagnosed in August when his mother noticed he was having trouble using his left hand. She tells CH 2 Action News , "we were terrified, we had never heard of it ."
Carter was paralyzed in his left arm. He has since regained some movement after intense therapy. He spent five days at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite. While in the hospital he received intense steroid infusions.
AFM cases in Georgia :
Report Year Confirmed or Probable AFM Case in GA
2014 1
2015 1
2016 5
2017 1
2018* 2
*preliminary case count