Cases of acute flaccid myelitis, the mysterious polio-like illness that can paralyze children, could increase this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC looked at data going back to 2014 and found AFM peaks every other year.
There were 237 cases in 2018 and only 33 in 2019. If the pattern holds, the CDC says 2020 could be another peak year.
In 2018, there were five cases of AFM in Allegheny County and one case in Washington County.
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In most patients, the illness starts out as a mild respiratory illness and fever. It develops into AFM in a small number of cases.
AFM affects the spinal cord and brain stem. Symptoms include arm or leg weakness, difficulty swallowing or slurred speech.
Children are most at risk for AFM.
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