Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Updated 2/4/20

Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) is a condition that affects the nervous system, and it is likely that viruses play a role in the development of AFM. There was an increase in reported AFM cases in the fall of 2018, with 237 cases confirmed of the 385 reports of patients under investigation (PUIs) received by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2019, there were 139 reports of PUIs, 37 of which were confirmed in 17 states. In 2020, there were no confirmed cases.  

The CDC worked with states to confirm cases and conducted extensive laboratory testing. Parents should make sure they and their children do basic things to stay healthy, such as wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home when sick.

Information for Parents / Caregivers

The Information for Parents / Caregivers page discusses the following topics in more depth:

  • Diagnosis
  • Prevention
  • Seeking healthcare
  • Symptoms
  • Treatment

Information for Healthcare Providers

The Information for Healthcare Providers page discusses the following topics in more depth:

  • Diagnosis
  • Reporting
  • Testing
  • Treatment
The Human Nervous System
  1. Frequently Asked Questions
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