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The number of confirmed acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) cases in the United States has risen to 72 in 24 states, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These 72 confirmed cases are among the total of 191 reports that CDC received of patients under investigation (PUIs). CDC recently received increased reports for PUIs with onset of symptoms in August, September, and October.

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare condition. It affects a person’s nervous system, specifically the spinal cord, causing weakness in one or more limbs. AFM or neurologic conditions like it have a variety of causes such as viruses and environmental toxins.

From August 2014 through October 2018, CDC has received information on a total of 396 confirmed cases of AFM across the US; most of the cases have occurred in children.

They have not confirmed the cause for the majority of these cases.