Cases of rare neurological condition AFM seem to peak this time each year, CDC says

The search for answers regarding a virus that is leaving children in at least 22 states with weakened arms and legs - to the point of paralysis - is still well underway at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

But a media call on Tuesday revealed a common cause of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) remains elusive.

"AFM can be caused by other viruses, such as enterovirus and West Nile Virus, environmental toxins and a condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys body tissue that it mistakes for foreign material," Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said. "While we know that these can cause AFM, we have not been able to find a cause for the majority of these AFM cases."

She later clarified that none of the patients so far have actually had West Nile Virus. What they have found, however, are key seasons when the condition seems to peak.

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"Based on previous years, most AFM cases occur in the late summer and fall," Messonnier said. "The data we are reporting today is a substantially larger number than in previous months this year."

This comes as health departments around the country remain vigilant of a rare illness that has only recently made headlines.

But even with an increase in information about AFM, cases appear to be on track with previous years - though the condition has only been tracked since 2014.

"So far, we are generally on track to have a number of cases similar to what we have seen in 2014 and 2016," Messonnier said. "But it would be premature to say that we’re confident that we know what is going to happen since it really is early in this."

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But one thing the CDC is doing this year that they haven't in previous years is keeping better track of patients under investigation. Messonier said that so far in 2018, the CDC has received reports of 127 such patients and 62 cases of confirmed AFM.

"As a parent myself, I understand what it is like to be scared for your child," Messonnier said. "Parents need to know that AFM is very rare, even with the increase in cases that we are seeing now."

The CDC continues to urge parents to teach their children common sickness prevention tips like washing their hands, staying up-to-date on immunizations and using insect repellent.