Public Health Concerns & Outbreaks
Outbreak of Acute Flaccid Myelitis - 10/17/2018 |
IN THE NEWS
AFM is a rare (one in one million), but serious condition, that causes inflammation
in a person’s spinal cord, causing weakness in the arm(s) and/or leg(s). The majority
of cases are in children and adolescents, most of them in younger children. It is
believed to be a complication associated with certain viruses such as enteroviruses
(both polio and non-polio), adenoviruses, and West Nile virus. These viruses are
contagious and spread, with the exception of West Nile, like colds and flus; West
Nile is spread by mosquitos with rare transmission via blood transfusions, donated
organs, and from mother to baby through pregnancy, delivery or breast feeding. |
What EMS should know: |
For more information see: https://www.cdc.gov/acute-flaccid-myelitis/about-afm.html Download the Full Update, and Read EMS Specific Recommendations |