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Second Michigan case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis confirmed in Oakland County child

Posted at 9:22 AM, Dec 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-13 17:23:53-05

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan has confirmed a second case of acute flaccid myelitis in a child from Oakland County, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

AFM is a rare but serious condition affecting the nervous system and can cause the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. Most patients report having a mild respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before developing AFM.

The state's first AFM case was confirmed Dec. 5 and involves a child from Wayne County. Nine suspect cases of AFM in Michigan are under investigation.

The CDC has confirmed 158 cases of AFM in 36 states, mostly in children.

The cause or trigger for AFM is not yet known. The CDC recommends the following to help protect yourself or your child from developing AFM:

  • Getting vaccinated against poliovirus, which is one of the viruses known to cause AFM. However, this vaccine does not protect against other viruses that may cause AFM.
  • Protecting yourself from bites from mosquitos, which can carry West Nile Virus, another cause of AFM, by using mosquito repellents, staying indoors at dawn and dusk and removing standing or stagnant water near your home.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.