Acute flaccid myelitis – what you need to know to keep your kids safe

As battle-weary Americans struggle to emerge from the anxiety and worry of COVID-19, there might be even more bad news around the corner this fall for parents of young children.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sounding the alarm now about the projection for increased cases of acute flaccid myelitis in the coming fall. It is of a rare but serious polio-like condition that surfaces every two years and children under 5 are its main target.

During the last outbreak in 2018, most patients were 5 years old and experienced limb weakness and paralysis. Others symptoms include a fever, problems walking normally, back or neck pain, issues with swallowing or talking and weakness in the face or neck.

In what has already been a harrowing year, it looks like there may be another serious health concern on the horizon. If you are an expert covering children’s health and the potential for acute flaccid myelitis to peak in 2020, then let our experts help.

Dr. Elizabeth Sekul is a highly acclaimed pediatric neurologist specializing in electrodiagnostic medicine and neuromuscular diseases. She also works as an associate professor at the Medical College of Georgia’s Department of Neurology and the Department of Pediatric  Neurology. If you are a journalist looking to book an interview, click on Dr. Sekul’s name to arrange a time today.