Does the surveillance report describe acute flaccid myelitis cases happening in the United States?
Surveillance reports do describe acute flaccid myelitis cases happening in the United States. These reports track cases from 2018 to 2022 and note that the disease has been recognized since 2014 following an outbreak linked to enterovirus D-68 13. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began formal surveillance after 120 cases were confirmed in a five-month period in 2014 4.
What the research says
Data from the surveillance period shows that clusters of cases often occur in late summer and early fall 4. Specific outbreaks were identified in various regions, including a report of six children hospitalized in Minnesota in 2018 2 and a review of 21 patients diagnosed in Texas in 2016 6. The number of confirmed cases fluctuated over the years, with 238 cases recorded in 2018 and 32 cases in 2020 4.
These reports highlight that the disease is not limited to one area but has been observed across the country. The most common place for initial medical contact for these pediatric patients is the emergency department 4. While the exact cause is still being investigated, peaks in cases have coincided with peaks in enterovirus transmission, particularly EV-D68 5.
What to ask your doctor
- When speaking with your doctor, consider asking these questions:
- How does the CDC define acute flaccid myelitis for surveillance purposes?
- What are the typical seasonal patterns for AFM cases in the United States?
- Which enteroviruses are currently being monitored as potential causes?
- What symptoms should I watch for that might indicate this condition?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Neurology and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.