First Polio-Like Illness AFM Confirmed In Michigan

MICHIGAN — The first case of the polio-like illness Acute flaccid myelitis or AFM was confirmed in Wayne County this week, with more Michigan cases likely out there.

The CDC reported the news on Wednesday, which is one of eight potential cases in Michigan, WDIV reported.

On Monday, federal health officials said they now have reports of 155 possible cases of AFM across the country. The CDC shows 62 cases confirmed cases in 22 states.

About AFM

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare condition. It affects a person’s nervous system, specifically the spinal cord, causing weakness in one or more limbs. AFM or neurologic conditions like it have a variety of causes such as viruses and environmental toxins.

Certain viruses are known to cause AFM including enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and West Nile virus. Since 2014, most patients with AFM (more than 90%) had a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before they developed AFM.

Most patients are children. CDC has seen increases in AFM cases every two years since 2014 and mostly in young children. Still, CDC estimates that less than one to two in a million children in the United States will get AFM every year.

Of the cases being investigated in Michigan, the ages range from 5 months to 55 years old.

AFM is not believed to be contagious. It may be a rare complication following a viral infection, and environmental and genetic factors may also contribute to its development.

The patients’ symptoms have been most similar to complications of infection with certain viruses, including poliovirus, non-polio enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and West Nile virus.

• Sudden muscle weakness in the arms or legs
• Difficulty moving the eyes
• Drooping eyelids or a facial droop/weakness
• Difficulty swallowing or slurred speech

Numbness or tingling is rare in people with AFM, although some people have pain in their arms or legs. Some people with AFM may be unable to pass urine (pee). The most severe symptom of AFM is respiratory failure that can happen when the muscles involved with breathing become weak. This can require urgent ventilator support (breathing machine).

In very rare cases, it is possible that the process in the body that triggers AFM may also trigger other serious neurologic complications that could lead to death.
There is no specific treatment for AFM, but a doctor who specializes in treating brain and spinal cord illnesses (neurologist) may recommend certain interventions on a case-by-case basis.

How to protect against AFM

Since AFM may develop due to a viral infection, health officials recommend parents and children take basic steps to avoid infections and stay healthy:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Stay up to date on vaccinations
• Protect yourself and children against mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing and using EPA-registered insect

You can protect yourself and your children from poliovirus by getting vaccinated. Polio vaccine contains inactivated (not live) virus, and protects against poliovirus. This vaccine does not protect against other viruses that may cause AFM.

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