Michigan confirms first 2020 case of a rare ‘polio-like’ disease in a Macomb County child

DETROIT – Michigan has confirmed its first case of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in 2020, a rare condition that attacks the nervous system, specifically in children.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) confirmed the first case in a child in Macomb County. Two other possible cases are being monitored.

As of June 30, CDC had confirmed 13 cases of AFM in 10 states by 2020, primarily in children. Despite increases in cases across the country since 2014, the CDC estimates that less than one or two out of every million children in the United States will receive AFM annually. In 2018 Michigan reported five cases and one case in 2019.

“AFM is a rare but serious condition that affects the nervous system and can weaken the muscles and reflexes of the body,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, medical director and deputy director of health. “Most patients report that they have a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before developing AFM.”

The cause or trigger of AFM is not yet known. However, most children had a respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before developing AFM. You can decrease the risk of getting viral infections if:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your face with your hands without washing.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.

Healthcare providers are asked to report all patients they suspect have AFM to their local health department.

More about AFM:

This information is from the CDC:

• Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare but serious neurological condition. It affects the nervous system, specifically the area of ​​the spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the muscles and reflexes of the body to weaken.
• We have seen increases in AFM cases in the United States every two years beginning in 2014.
• Most cases of AFM (over 90%) have been in young children.
• You may hear that AFM is known as a “polio-like” condition, but all the stool samples from AFM patients we receive negative result for poliovirus. AFM cases since 2014 are not caused by poliovirus.
• Sudden onset of weakness in the arms or legs, loss of muscle tone and loss of reflexes. are the most common symptoms

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for AFM, but a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the brain and spinal cord (neurologist) may recommend certain interventions on a case-by-case basis. For example, neurologists may recommend physical or occupational therapy to help with arm or leg weakness caused by AFM. Physical rehabilitation could improve long-term results if implemented during the initial phase of the disease.

CDC is working closely with national experts to better understand how to treat AFM and will update our clinical management considerations with new information as it becomes available. We are also working to understand the long-term (prognostic) outcomes of people with AFM.

How does it spread?

AFM mainly affects children and is not believed to be contagious. It can be a rare complication after a viral infection, and environmental and genetic factors can also contribute to its development.

The CDC has analyzed many different samples from AFM patients for a wide range of pathogens (germs) that can cause AFM. To date, no pathogen (germ) has been consistently detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients; A pathogen detected in the cerebrospinal fluid would be good evidence to indicate the cause of AFM since this condition affects the spinal cord.