Key result
Between January and November 2018, 80 confirmed cases of acute flaccid myelitis were reported in the US, representing a threefold increase compared to 2017, with 99% of cases reporting a preceding viral illness.
Observational (n=106)
Yes
There was a threefold increase in confirmed cases of acute flaccid myelitis in the US in 2018 compared to 2017, predominantly affecting young children and temporally associated with viral illness.
Heightened AFM surveillance alerts clinicians to possible outbreaks; leaves open etiology, risk factors, and prevention needs.
In August 2018, CDC noted an increased number of reports of patients having symptoms clinically compatible with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare condition characterized by rapid onset of flaccid weakness in one or more limbs and spinal cord gray matter lesions, compared with August 2017. Since 2014, CDC has conducted surveillance for AFM using a standardized case definition (1,2). An Epi-X* notice was issued on August 23, 2018, to increase clinician awareness and provide guidance for case reporting.
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McKay et al. (2018) conducted an observational in Acute flaccid myelitis (n=106). Viral illness was evaluated on Confirmed cases of acute flaccid myelitis. Between January and November 2018, 80 confirmed cases of acute flaccid myelitis were reported in the US, representing a threefold increase compared to 2017, with 99% of cases reporting a preceding viral illness.
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