Smileband Health issues

AFM is one of a number of conditions that can result in neurologic illness with limb weakness. Such illnesses can result from a variety of causes, including viral infections, environmental toxins, genetic disorders and others. Despite extensive laboratory testing, a cause for AFM is unable to be identified.

AFM is characterized by:

• Acute onset of focal limb weakness
• An MRI showing a spinal cord lesion largely restricted to gray matter and spanning one or more spinal segments
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with pleocytosis (WBC >5 cells/mm3)

In 2015, 16 people from 12 states had confirmed AFM. In 2014, a total of 115 people from 34 states were reported to have confirmed AFM.

Transmission
AFM has numerous suspect etiologies, but a cause for AFM is unable to be identified. Suspected viruses identified in AFM patients include:

• Enteroviruses (polio and non-polio)
• West Nile virus (WNV) and viruses in the same family as WNV, specifically Japanese encephalitis virus and Saint Louis encephalitis virus
• Herpesviruses, such as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus
• Adenoviruses

Lab Tests & Specimen Info   Isolation Procedures

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients
Persons can help protect themselves from known causes of AFM by:

• Being up to date on all recommended vaccinations, including poliovirus
• Washing hands often with soap and water
• Avoiding close contact with sick people
• Cleaning surfaces with a disinfectant, especially those that a sick person has touched
• Protecting from mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus

Public Health Actions
Public health can provide targeted guidance for the workup and therapies of a suspect AFM case.

Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on a case or suspect case.