The rapid spreading of a poliomyelitis - like disease across the U.S. is causing headache within the medical community . Since the start of 2018 , there have been 127 reported cases of acute flaccid myelitis ( AFM ) , with 62 of those cases confirmed in 22 states , NBCreports . Unlike acute anterior poliomyelitis , there ’s no vaccine for AFM , and doctors are n’t entirely sure what causes it or how it diffuse . Now , theCenters for Disease Control and Preventionis urging masses to educate themselves on the condition .
AFM is a disease that attacks the hoary matter of the victim ’s spinal corduroy , which can cause serious damage to the central nervous system . symptom like muscle weakness , facial drooping , tree branch paralysis , and trouble swallow or slurred speech can evidence quickly and ask contiguous aesculapian attention . There is no specific way to regale the disease or reverse its force , but physical therapy can help some victims regain mobility .
The condition commonly recrudesce following a viral contagion , such as enterovirus and West Nile virus , but there ’s no one virus is link to AFM . Environmental toxins and autoimmune diseases can also trigger it .
Acute flaccid myelitis has been on the rise since 2014 , and the CDC gestate to see a higher - than - average telephone number of cases this year . The section is n’t sure of what ’s causing the stiletto heel , but even with incidents on the rise , the disease is still incredibly rare . It affects mostly baby under age 19 , and kids immature than 4 account for most of the case . The chance of a fry contracting the transmission in the U.S. are less than one in 1 million .
To protect yourself and your child against AFM , the CDC recommend follow general good wellness recitation . bide up - to - day of the month on your vaccinum , stave off mosquitos , and rinse your hand on a regular basis andthoroughlyto ward off computer virus .
[ h / tNBC ]
