A rare childhood disease worries the United States

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a rare but serious illness. Characterized by an acute inflammation of the cells of the spinal cord, it is similar to polio (or poliomyelitis) since it can lead to paralysis affecting the arms or legs. In the United States, the number of cases is on the rise. A situation that greatly worries parents. On November 13, the American authorities also admitted that they did not know the direct cause of this pathology.

33 new cases since last week

Children aged 2 to 8 are the most affected. Three to ten days before suffering from paralysis, they all complained of fevers and respiratory problems. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studied 125 cases, and it turned out that half of them were positive for an enterovirus or a rhinovirus, causing fever, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches. But scientists still don’t know the precise cause of the disease. “Currently, science does not give any answer”explained Nancy Messonier, director of the organization, to AFP relayed by Le Figaro.

A total of 252 children were treated for AFP symptoms this year. Since last week, 33 new cases have even been reported. With 80 confirmed patients, “we seem to be moving towards a year in line with the last two peak years (149 cases in 2016 and 120 cases in 2014)”, she said. The syndrome broke out in 2014, but only around ten cases were recorded in 2015 and 2017.

Among the children with AFP, some recovered quickly, many others remained paralyzed. Because the disease directly affects the nervous system. In 2017, a child died of it in the United States. There is currently no specific treatment for this pathology. Nancy Messonier nevertheless assured that the disease remained rare. The scientist invites parents to “seek immediate medical help for children who suffer from sudden weakness in arms and legs”.

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