2 weeks Ago By Isabel Shaw
A POLIO-LIKE virus that can leave children completely paralysed is spreading in the US, experts warn. In most people, the bug, known as enterovirus-D68 ( E-268 ) typically causes a mild cold-like illness which lasts about a week. However, children are more at risk for severe complications and even death because of their immature immune systems .
The bug can trigger acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM , which affects the nervous system causing the limbs to become weak or floppy which can look similar to polio . Samples collected from toilet wastewater indicate a sharp rise in the number of people carrying the bug. Humans infected with viruses may shed them in their waste, making wastewater an effective tool for detecting viral activity in communities.
“We are detecting EV-D68 nucleic acids in wastewater across the country now, and the levels are increasing,” said Alexandria Boehm, program director of WastewaterSCAN , told NBC . That’s the first clue suggesting the nation might see an increase in AFM this year, said Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center. “The second clue,” she said, “is that the time of year is right.
” Historically, September has been the peak month for AFM cases. Most read in Health So far this year, there have been 13 confirmed AFM cases across 10 states, according to Centre for Disease Control (CDC) data. Since AFM was first identified in 2014, approximately 758 individuals have been diagnosed with the illness.
During the last surge of enterovirus cases in the US in 2022, the CDC urged medics to monitor for symptoms of severe enterovirus and AFM in children. Several children in the US died after developing the neurological illness. Enterovirus is a group of viruses that can cause a range of illnesses, from mild colds to more serious conditions.
They’re especially common in babies, children, and teens because their immune systems are still developing. You might see symptoms like a runny nose, fever, sore throat, or cough. In some cases, enteroviruses can lead to more severe issues, such as meningitis or even acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), which affects the nervous system How is it spread? They spread easily through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, making it important to practice good hygiene to avoid catching them What are the symptoms? Most people will experience mild symptoms like fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, body aches, and a sore throat.
But in more serious cases, you might see severe respiratory distress or sudden weakness. Can it be treated? Unfortunately, there’s no specific treatment for enterovirus. Antibiotics don't work on viral illnesses like enterovirus.
And no antiviral medicines are available to help cure an enterovirus infection The focus is on managing symptoms, like using over-the-counter meds for fever and pain. How to avoid catching it To stay healthy, practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. Avoid close contact with sick individuals, and if you’re feeling unwell, it’s best to stay home.
Additionally, regularly clean and disinfect surfaces to reduce the risk of infection. Source: CDC.
