Polio-Like Illness Confirmed In Massachusetts Health Officials Say

BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM) -- Massachusetts has its first confirmed case of a polio-like illness that's being seen across the country.

It's called Acute Flaccid Myelitis -- or AFM.  It usually strikes children focusing in the area of the spinal cord called gray matter -- and causes partial paralysis.

From The CDC: What is Acute Flaccid Myelitis

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has not released the name -- age or hometown of the victim.  Officials tell WBZ-TV that  ---  five other possible cases are being investigated.

They say that the polio-like illness is a serious condition and there is no specific treatment.

In a conference call Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control says 62 cases have been confirmed across the nation.

“There is a lot we don’t know about AFM and I am frustrated that despite all our efforts we haven’t been able to identify the cause of this mystery illness,” Messonnier said.

While, CDC officials say AFM isn't new -- there's been an uptick in cases since 2014.

The agency has received reports of 127 patients under investigation, in 22 states this year.


View Full Site