CDC warns about possible acute flaccid myelitis outbreak in 2020


FILE – This 2014 file electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows numerous, spheroid-shaped enterovirus-D68 (EV-D68) virions. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Yiting Zhang/CDC via AP, File)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:15 PM PT — Wednesday, August 5, 2020

The CDC has warned adults about a paralyzing condition that could affect their children this year. The agency sent out a warning about acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) on Tuesday.

The last outbreak of AFM was in 2018. The illness typically peaks every other year.

Officials expressed concern that adults will be unable to recognize the polio-like condition or might hesitate to visit a medical center due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Adults have been urged to immediately take children to a doctor if they show symptoms of sudden muscle weakness in their arms or legs. The CDC remains unsure what exactly causes the illness.

“Most patients had a cold-like illness or fever consistent with a viral infection less than a week before they developed arm or leg weakness,” stated Dr. Anne Schuchat. “CDC will continue to investigate how enteroviruses, including EV-D68, might cause or trigger AFM.”

During the last outbreak, almost all affected children were hospitalized due to the severity of their symptoms.

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Shanon Peckham
Author: Shanon Peckham

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