Case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis Confirmed In Macomb County Child

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — A child from Macomb County has been confirmed to have a case of acute flaccid myelitis, the first reported in the state this year, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Monday.

Two additional suspected cases of AFM in Michigan remain under investigation, officials added.

“AFM is a rare but serious condition affecting the nervous system and can cause the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Most patients report having a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before developing AFM.”

The CDC describes the condition as uncommon but serious. It affects the nervous system, specifically the area of the spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak, according to the CDC.

As of June 30, the CDC had confirmed 13 cases of AFM in 10 states for 2020, mostly in children. Despite increases in cases across the country since 2014, the CDC estimates that less than one to two in a million children in the United States will get AFM annually. In 2018, Michigan reported five cases and one case in 2019.

The cause or trigger for AFM is not yet known, officials said. However, most children had a respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before they developed AFM. People can decrease risk of getting viral infections by:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

Healthcare providers are asked to report all patients they suspect of having AFM to their local health department.