Polio-like disease in Massachusetts

Doctors in Massachusetts hospitals have confirmed two cases acute flaccid myelitis also known as AMF. This Polio-like diseases is causing paralysis in its victims nation wide mostly being contracted by children around the age of four. Massachusetts General Hospital is working with patients to try and help find the cure and hopefully discover its cause.


The disease cripples the patient by causes muscle weakness and paralysis. AMF does this by attacking the spinal cord and or brain stem. After it infects it shows it's symptoms in any number or ways including, loss of bladder control, difficulty breathing, and weakness in an arm or a leg that can spread to other extremities sometimes with pain. Slurred speech, difficulty moving the eyes, facial weakness in one so young can also be a sign of AMF. 

 The CDC has been following this disease since 2014 and there are fewer than 70 patients across the country with it. This makes the disease extremely rare even though it can feel as though it is a wide spread occurance. The most common months for contracting acute flaccid myelitis is September through November. This is also a common time for flu and other seasonal colds. The best prevention at this time is the same for many other illnesses, proper hand hygiene. 

 While, at this time, there are only two cases of AMF diagnosed in the state of Massachusetts, there are about half a dozen other potential patients with this disease being investigated.

The disease can be diagnosed through brain scans, and treatment includes and anti-inflammatory medication.

For more information check theses links:

 https://www.boston.com/news/health/2018/10/19/acute-flaccid-myelitis-cases-massachusetts-2018

https://whdh.com/news/mystery-illness-health-officials-confirm-2-cases-of-polio-like-disease-in-massachusetts/

https://www.cdc.gov/acute-flaccid-myelitis/index.html

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