CDC issues update on increase in acute flaccid myelitis

Nov 13, 2018 - 03:19 PM
flaccid-myelitis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 90 cases of acute flaccid myelitis in 27 states so far this year, triple the number in 2017, according to a report the agency released today. The rare but serious condition affects the nervous system, causing the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. Cases also surged in 2014 and 2016, to 120 and 149 respectively. About half of the 2018 cases have tested positive for enterovirus or rhinovirus, but more research is needed to better understand the condition and what is triggering the increase, Nancy Messonnier, M.D., director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a news briefing on the report. Most of the cases have been in children.

Related News Articles

Headline
CMS announces expansion of ACCESS Model 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 15 announced an expansion of its outcome-aligned payment model offering technology-supported care to…
Headline
Survey details ongoing shortage of cancer medications
A survey released Sept. 10 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network highlights ongoing shortages of cancer medications. All responding cancer centers…
Headline
U.S. cyclosporiasis cases surpass 17,000
There are now 17,180 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Aug. 25. At least 11,844 additional…
Headline
AHA podcast explains how Cone Health’s multidisciplinary teams coordinate care to support healthier pregnancies, families
In this conversation, Kardie Tobb, D.O., a non-invasive preventative cardiologist at Cone Health, explains how multidisciplinary teams are breaking down…
Headline
CDC reports nearly 16,000 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases nationwide 
There have been 15,716 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico since May 1, the Centers for Disease Control and…
Headline
Common Health Coalition receives funding from OpenAI Foundation for new initiative
The Common Health Coalition announced Aug. 13 that it will receive $100 million in funding from the OpenAI Foundation for a new initiative using artificial…