Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) is an uncommon but serious polio-like condition affecting mostly children. It affects the nervous system and causes muscle weakness. Increases in AFM cases have typically occurred every two years with peaks in 2014, 2016, and 2018 in the U.S. Allegheny County documented five cases for the first time in 2018, no cases have been reported since. Research is ongoing to gain a better understanding of the condition, what exactly causes it, and how .
Cases of AFM in Allegheny County by year
| 2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2023 |
2023 |
| 5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
What are the symptoms of AFM?
Symptoms include sudden arm or leg weakness, pain in the arms or legs, pain in the neck or back, facial droop, difficulty swallowing or slurred speech, and difficulty moving the eyes or drooping eyelids.
What causes AFM?
AFM is thought to be caused by viral infections, particularly enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). EV-D68 is the most commonly detected virus in specimens from AFM patients. Enterovirus A-71 (EV-A71) and other viruses have also been detected.
Is the ACHD tracking EV-D68 and EV-A71?
The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has been monitoring EV-D68 in wastewater since January 2023 and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) since late July 2023 as a potential early warning system for outbreaks of these viruses. To see detections and trends of EV-D68 and EV-A71 in local wastewater, visit the AFM Wastewater Dashboard.
What is the treatment for AFM?
There is no treatment or cure for AFM, but clinicians may be able to provide options to help with recovery.
How can AFM be prevented?
Since AFM is thought to be caused by viral infections, common viral infections precautions can be used, such as
- Washing hands
- Avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands
- Avoiding those who are sick
- Cleaning common surfaces
- Keeping sick children home
What is being done to address AFM?
Public health officials at the CDC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the ACHD track cases, conduct laboratory studies, and collaborate with neurology and infectious disease experts to gain a better understanding of the condition.
Resources
General AFM Information(PDF, 445KB)
Center for Disease Control (CDC) AFM webpage
AFM Wastewater Dashboard