Healthy Inspiration

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has received a total of 155 reports to date of patients under investigation for acute flaccid myelitis.

The number of suspected cases in Massachusetts is now five, an increase of one over last week, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The polio-like condition, which mainly affects children and manifests as weakness in the muscles and reflexes that can result in paralysis, is rare, but has been on the increase since 2014 in the United States.

Last week in issuing an alert on the increase, the CDC had said this number stood at 127 cases of patients under investigation (PUIs) this year, including 62 confirmed cases in 22 states.

The condition is said to affect the body's nervous system, causing inflammation in the spinal cord and interfering with the transmission of nerve signals to and from the brain. It is partially diagnosis through an MRI.

No predominate pathogen has been found to date among the confirmed cases, according to the CDC, though the presence of non-polio enteroviruses has been associated with a few.

None of the earlier cases the CDC has said it investigated were found to have the poliovirus.

There is no specific treatment, though some hospitals are said to have treated with immunotherapy, including corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin and/or plasma exchange to improve patient outcome on a long-term basis.

The CDC said on its website that it had recently received increased reports for PUIs with onset of symptoms in August and September, and that it would be releasing weekly Monday updates "so people can better anticipate increases in confirmed cases over the coming months."

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed two cases of acute flaccid myelitis in the state last week.

Parents are urged to ensure their children are up-to-date on vaccination requirements, to engage in proper hygiene when changing diapers and to not send ill children to school or day care or to expose babies to them.

The onset sometimes presents first as a respiratory condition and then progress to muscle weakness, including facial droop or weakness.  Parents are urged to contact their healthcare provider if they notice such symptoms.