A respiratory virus that occasionally causes paralysis in children is spreading across the US, sparking fears of a potential surge in polio-like illnesses. Significant increases in an enterovirus known as D68 have been detected in wastewater samples. This virus, in rare instances, has been associated with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a condition that affects the nervous system and leads to severe weakness in the limbs, primarily affecting young children.
"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, a nonprofit monitoring network, and a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. New study finds microplastics in the human brain for the first time Woman, 32, nearly dies after 70oz of black slime erupts from lungs due to vaping This discovery suggests that the nation might witness a rise in AFM cases this year, according to Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and author of "Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks." "The second clue," she added, "is that the time of year is right.
" Historically, September has seen the highest number of AFM cases. Enteroviruses are incredibly common, and anyone who's ever had a cold likely had one. Most of the time, these viruses cause mild symptoms like a runny nose, cough, headache, and general feelings of malaise.
However, the D68 strain of the enterovirus began causing more serious issues in 2014 when the US experienced its first spike in pediatric AFM cases. That year, 120 children were diagnosed. With no known cure or direct treatment, paralysis victims face a grim reality.
Even after extensive physical therapy, many are burdened with permanent disabilities. Sporadic reports of AFM have punctuated the years since its emergence, peaking in 2016 at 153 and spiking again in 2018 with 238 cases. These surges followed an every-other-year rhythm until the 2020 pandemic lockdown interrupted the cycle, resulting in a mere 32 cases due to reduced viral transmission.
Post-lockdown 2022 saw a resurgence of virus D68, yet, curiously, AFM cases did not climb in tandem. DON'T MISS: Lil Tay's X account shares 'devastating' news a year after her 'death' hoax Selena Gomez slams ‘victim’ mentality after documentary backlash Jon Bon Jovi hailed after he incredibly talks woman out of jumping off bridge "We saw the virus that was previously driving the AFM cases, but we didn't see the AFM cases associated with it," remarked Dr. Kevin Messacar from Children's Hospital Colorado, who addressed some of the initial 2014 AFM occurrences.
The inconsistency presents a conundrum worthy of any virologist's intrigue. As experts conjecture on viral behaviors, the pathogens constantly evolve to outmaneuver predictions. Alterations within the virus or increased immunity within US populations could explain the anomaly.
"We're still trying to figure it out," said Messacar. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2024, there have been 13 confirmed cases of AFM, adding to the 758 total cases reported since 2014. The grim reality has emerged that numerous families have been impacted by a virus, leaving their children with permanent and life-changing paralysis.
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