AFM Attacking Children Throughout U.S.

Parents, be aware of an uptick of acute flaccid myelitis, with six cases in our region.  As well, there are pockets of cases throughout the U.S. including in Minnesota and Illinois. From KIRO-tv:

Six children in Washington state have experienced the sudden onset of paralysis of one or more of their limbs, Washington State Department of Health officials said Thursday.

Health department officials are working with the CDC to confirm whether the children have acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).

AFM is a rare condition that exhibits polio-like symptoms. It affects the nervous system, especially the spinal cord, health officials said. 

“Symptoms are a weakness or paralysis and inability to use one or more arms or legs. And you also might see weakness in the face, trouble speaking,” said Michelle Holshue, a nurse epidemiologist at the WA Department of Health in Shoreline. 

“Many of the cases, or the suspected cases we’ve seen, have had cold and flu symptoms before the onset of the symptoms of AFM,” Holshue said.

“Just keep an eye. And if they complain about anything, my legs are tired, my arm, I’m too tired to lift my arm, that requires a trip to the ER,” Werdal said.

The heartbreaking issue about AFM is that while kids can recover, many do not fully recover and have some kind of partial paralysis.
While the numbers are very small, it's worth keeping a very close watch over your child if he/she has cold/flu symptoms along with extreme fatigue.