Mysterious Virus with Polio-like Symptoms Rapidly Spreading Among U.S. Kids

Image Name: Mysterious Virus

Image Credit: Raceias

The mysterious virus with symptoms typical of polio began spreading rapidly across the United States a few months ago and is causing alarm not only among physicians but also parents. The virus mainly attacks children, whose cases have spurred an increase in neurological diseases such as paralysis in the worst cases. Its cause and how it has spread is still unknown, but it is a matter of pressing concern, because most public health organizations are putting their best efforts to investigate and prevent further spreading of this virus.

The Virus and Its Symptoms
The key symptoms of this enigmatic virus eerily resemble polio, a disease mostly eradicated in the U.S. due to all-out vaccination efforts. The most concerning symptom is sudden paralysis in children, which is characteristic of a condition known as Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). AFM is a very rare but dangerous neurological disease that affects the spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. Such children might experience the following issues:

Sudden weakness of limbs
Loss of ability or muscle weakness to move or perform certain functions, loss of reflexes and difficulty breathing in severe cases. Many of these symptoms mirror those of polio, and that’s why immediate attention from the medical profession has drawn to this virus. The paralysiscaused by the virus could  either be temporary or permanent; this depends on the severity of the infection and how promptly treatment should be given. Now with more children presenting these symptoms, alarm bells are ringing in many parents’ and healthcare providers’ minds.

Enterovirus and AFM Connection
One of the obvious offenders behind the present outbreak of the virus is enterovirus, and more precisely, enterovirus D68, which has already been linked to previous outbreaks of polio-like disease. Enteroviruses are a category of viruses that mainly cause relatively mild infections that may resemble common cold. Some strains, however, lead to serious neurological complications-a characteristic that can be well exemplified by the case of D68.

The AFM was highly transmitted in the U.S. in 2014 at the same time as enterovirus D68 case rise. It has caused science experts to look into whether the surge of current AFM cases is connected with the transmission of this strain of enterovirus, too. The form is extremely rare but has surged dramatically since 2014 when hundreds of children came forward with such illnesses. The CDC has been closely monitoring it, and the cases are still under research to see if they are indeed related to the virus or in any other way as connected to the AFM.

Why is it spreading now?
Several factors explain why the virus is spreading so fast among children. To begin with, lockdown measures, largely imposed due to COVID-19, are gradually easing, and mobility and social interaction are on the increase. During the pandemic, viruses were suppressed to a large extent. Now, with the reopening of schools and children attending more social events, the hereto suppressed viruses regain circulation, at times in higher or mutated forms.

In addition, vaccination rates for other non-COVID-19 diseases during the pandemic have fallen too low in some regions, making kids more susceptible to entering schools with infections like enterovirus. Most routine vaccinations in children were either held up or absent, thus placing a herd immunity at risk to other viruses.

Image Name: U.S. Kids Virus

Image Credit: Teen Vogue

The Pediatric Health Crisis
Being very communicable, the hospitals throughout the nation have witnessed a fast increase in pediatric cases admitted for symptoms causing neurological disorder, and the majority of them have been the AFM. These reports have given causative warnings about the impending crisis of pediatrics health as a consequence of strained medical resources apart from unknown long-term implications on children when they are infected. Most of the children with paralysis caused by AFM require intensive rehabilitation programs and do not recover to a normal state of living at times.

Parents are advised to watch their children closely and take them for medical attention if they become weak or paralyzed. The earlier a child receives treatment, the better the outlook. For example, some children suffering from AFM would need mechanical ventilation or other life-supporting measures if the virus affected the muscles of respiration.

Public Health Response and Control Measures
There is a strong public health response seen with the fast spread of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other health agencies, will be monitoring and studying the virus especially its association with enterovirus and AFM.

Controls include:

• Monitoring possible cases from hospitals and clinics
• Genetic testing of samples of the virus to know if some mutations exist
• Educating the public about symptoms and the need for timely treatment.

Even though no exact antiviral drug has been identified to treat AFM or enterovirus, the doctors are more concerned with supportive care and rehabilitation to enable the affected children to regain strength. To children with paralysis as a result of the condition, an important component of recovery will include physical therapy as well as occupational therapy. Included among these is the effort by the CDC to raise awareness of the need for childhood immunizations not only against COVID-19 but also other preventable diseases, which may lead to the weakening of a child’s immunity level.

What Can Parents Do?
Spreading is an understandable worry for parents, but there are things they can do to safeguard children: Maintain Up-to-Date Vaccinations. There is no vaccine for AFM or enterovirus. However, regular childhood vaccinations can help prevent other diseases that might compromise the immune system.

• Good Hygiene Practice:
  Enteroviruses are transferred through aerosol droplets and also by direct contact with fomites. Proper teaching of hand washing to kids and training them not to touch their faces would help reduce infection possibilities.
• Monitor Symptoms:
  The chance of getting better and preventing the disease can be increased if it is reported early when starting symptoms such as muscle weakness or difficulty breathing can be identified. When a child starts showing signs of paralysis, or any kind of neurological defects he should immediately be taken to hospital.
• Limit Exposure:
  In case of an outbreak, limiting exposure and avoiding crowded areas where the virus is known to thrive reduces the chances of infection in children.

Future of the Virus
The “swallowtail” appearance of this peculiar virus, its symptoms at least like polio, keeps us jolted into remembering how viral outbreaks can be unpredictable. To date, experts continue to research the cause and spread of this virus, but ultimately, the best defense now is vigilance, public health intervention, and support for affected children.

It is required to share appropriate and transparent updates at every step of the investigation from public health agencies and informe parents about the developments. It will be important for future research into AFM, enteroviruses, and other emerging pathogens to help prevent such outbreaks and give children the best available care in the face of such a crisis. And finally, information regarding symptoms, timely medical treatment, and following other preventive measures of public health can be important to mitigate further ravages of this virus and, especially to ensure safe protection of the vulnerable.