Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) increase in children in US
In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are concerned about an increase in acute flaccid paralysis in children in 2018; 62 confirmed cases have been reported across 22 states in the US. Although different infections (viruses and bacteria) can cause this type of illness, initial investigations suggest that some of the cases are caused by non-polio enteroviruses.
Symptoms of acute flaccid paralysis include:
- weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes in the arms or legs
- facial droop or weakness
- difficulty moving the eyes
- drooping eyelids
- difficulty swallowing
- slurred speech
Any child with these symptoms should be notified to HPSC:
http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/polio/acuteflaccidparalysisafp/
The best way of preventing this disease is to be up-to-date on vaccines and practice good hygiene (washing your hands).
Further information
CDC, US - Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) investigation, Oct 2018 - https://www.cdc.gov/acute-flaccid-myelitis/afm-surveillance.html
HPSC - Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) guidance - http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/polio/acuteflaccidparalysisafp/guidance/