CDC: Rare disease affecting kids expected to return in fall

[Werk 13,166]

Does anyone know if this is true? Someone on ATRL said "the lies"  

https://www.livescience.com/acute-flaccid-myelitis-outbreak-expected-2020.html

As if the COVID-19 pandemic weren't bad enough, health officials say we're due for an outbreak of a rare, polio-like illness in children this fall.

Cases of this disease, known as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), spiked late in the summer and fall of 2014, 2016 and 2018, and officials expect the trend to continue for 2020, according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). AFM is a condition that affects the nervous system and causes muscle weakness, particularly in the arms and legs, which can progress rapidly and lead to permanent paralysis, the CDC said.

Recent data suggest that enteroviruses — particularly a type called enterovirus D68 — are likely the primary cause of AFM outbreaks in the U.S., according to a new CDC report released Tuesday (Aug. 4) in the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (Polio is also caused by an enterovirus.) 

But COVID-19 is a wild card that could affect AFM outbreaks.

"We do not know how COVID-19 and social distancing may affect enterovirus," CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said in a news conference. It's possible that social-distancing measures will decrease circulation of enteroviruses, in which case "AFM cases may be fewer this year or the outbreak may be delayed," Redfield said. On the flip side, the pandemic could make it harder for health care professionals to recognize and respond to AFM cases, Redfield said.

CDC officials aren't taking any chances, and they are calling on doctors and parents to be on the lookout for AFM. The illness should be suspected in children with sudden limb weakness, especially during the peak months of August through November. Limb weakness linked to AFM is often preceded by respiratory illness or fever and the presence of neck or back pain.

"AFM is a medical emergency that requires immediate care," Redfield said. There is no specific treatment for AFM, but since symptoms can progress rapidly and require mechanical ventilation, patients suspected to have the disease should be hospitalized immediately, the report said. What's more, doctors may recommend physical or occupational therapy to help with limb weakness caused by AFM, and this therapy may lead to better outcomes if implemented in the initial phase of illness, according to the CDC.

Although cases of AFM have increased in recent years, the disease remains very rare. A total of 633 cases of AFM have been confirmed in the U.S. since officials started tracking the disease in 2014, according to the CDC. So far in 2020, 16 cases have been reported as of July 31, and 38 cases are under investigation. In previous years, cases of AFM did not start to rise until August.

The outbreak in 2018 was the biggest yet, with 238 confirmed cases in 42 states. The new report provides a detailed review of these 238 cases to help doctors quickly recognize cases and refer them to appropriate care.

[Renie 7,909]

A friend of a friends child had this! The poor kid was in the hospital for quite some time, they didn’t think he would make it. He’s doing good now, took lots of rehabilitation and he’ll still never be able to walk normal or have normal control of his hand but it’s amazing he’s alive. The children’s hospital he was at had 2 other cases! Very scary! I don’t think they know how it’s contracted. 

[TimisaMonster 31,073]

And schools are reopening and no masks or social distancing being observed...good luck kids and terrible parents 

[Werk 13,166]

2 hours ago, Renie said:

A friend of a friends child had this! The poor kid was in the hospital for quite some time, they didn’t think he would make it. He’s doing good now, took lots of rehabilitation and he’ll still never be able to walk normal or have normal control of his hand but it’s amazing he’s alive. The children’s hospital he was at had 2 other cases! Very scary! I don’t think they know how it’s contracted. 

Oh my god I can only imagine, I'm glad to hear he survived though!

[TOSK 640]

CDC says it is

CDC Expects 2020 Outbreak of Life-Threatening Acute Flaccid Myelitis

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0803-acute-flaccid-myelitis-outbreak.html

[Werk 13,166]

On 8/5/2020 at 10:13 PM, TOSK said:

CDC says it is

CDC Expects 2020 Outbreak of Life-Threatening Acute Flaccid Myelitis

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0803-acute-flaccid-myelitis-outbreak.html

[ALGAYDO 35,207]

2020 really is the year that The Universe said: “fúck them humans”