Per CDC:
Key points
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an uncommon but serious neurologic condition.
It causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak.
Most AFM cases have been in young children.
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an uncommon but serious neurologic condition. It affects the nervous system, specifically the area of the spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak.
Increases in AFM cases have occurred in 2014, 2016, and 2018 in the U.S.
Most AFM cases (more than 90%) have been in young children.
Causes
AFM can be caused by viruses, including enteroviruses. AFM can also be caused by other viruses, including flaviviruses (West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus), herpesviruses, and adenoviruses.
Enteroviruses are common and usually cause mild illness. We are working to learn why a small number of people develop AFM after having a virus.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of AFM are:
Sudden onset of arm or leg weakness
Loss of muscle tone
Loss of reflexes
To learn more visit: About Acute Flaccid Myelitis | Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) | CDC
