First case of illness with symptoms similar to polio confirmed in Michigan

(WNDU)
Published: Dec. 5, 2018 at 5:12 PM EST
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The first case of an illness that presents symptoms similar to those of polio has been confirmed in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was notified Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the news.

The disease is called acute flaccid myelitis. It causes the muscles and reflexes to become weak, and most patients have a respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before developing AFM.

It's also rare, with 1 to 2 cases typically found in one million people, said Dr. Rob Riley, M.D., of the South Bend Clinic.

"The cause seems to be a variety of different viruses, none of which we have antibiotics for, so to speak." said Riley.

An

said that "about 90 percent of the cases at the time are children who have suffered muscle weakness or paralysis, including in the face, neck, back or limbs. The symptoms tend to occur about a week after they had a fever and respiratory illness."

Michigan is far from the first state to have a confirmed case of AFM. The CDC has confirmed 134 cases in 33 states, mostly in children, according to a release from the MDHHS.

Michigan's first confirmed case is in Wayne County, which contains the city of Detroit.

Health care providers are encouraged to report all patients they suspect of having AFM to their local health departments.

Dr. Riley said treatment would be ensuring the patient is not having breathing difficulty. And if muscle impairment occurs, physical therapy might be prescribed.