CDC has just released a new Vital Signs report on acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), an uncommon but life-threatening neurologic condition that affects mostly children and can lead to permanent paralysis. The disease has peaked every two years between August and November in the United States since 2014. Prompt recognition and immediate action by pediatricians, and emergency department and urgent care providers are critical to achieving the best possible outcomes.
Key Points:
- 2 in 3: Most patients first sought care at an emergency department.
- 98%: Most patients with AFM were hospitalized.
- 54%: Over half of patients with AFM were admitted to the ICU. 1 in 4 hospitalized patients required a ventilator.
Read the full report and download this fact sheet to share in your communities.