Worrying spread of mysterious polio-like illness has left more than 100 children paralyzed across America with little hope of recovery - as doctors warn of a new surge in cases

  • Acute flaccid myelitis affects nervous system, specifically the spinal cord
  • Fifty people have had it from January to August, CDC reported on Monday
  • Increase is similar to 2014 outbreak that paralyzed 120 children in the US
  • Symptoms can escalate dramatically and leave children paralyzed in a matter of days
  • Children typically need a ventilator to help them breathe; no specific treatment has been found  

A polio-like illness that once paralyzed at least 120 children around the country in one year is on the rise again.

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. Symptoms similar to that of a cold can escalate dramatically and leave most of a child's body paralyzed in a matter of days.

Fifty people across 24 states have contracted AFM from January to August this year, the CDC reported Monday.

This increase follows a similar pattern to an AFM surge that affected at least 120 children in 2014.

Many still have not recovered fully today. 

Scroll down for video 

Braden Scott (pictured), 5, was diagnosed with AFM in July in Houston, Texas. He still needs a ventilator and has remained in the hospital, where physical therapy is helping his motor skills

Braden Scott (pictured), 5, was diagnosed with AFM in July in Houston, Texas. He still needs a ventilator and has remained in the hospital, where physical therapy is helping his motor skills

There have already been more than twice as many AFM cases this year than last year. In 2015, 21 people in the US had the disease, according to the CDC.  

'My concern is that we are seeing a trend now in 2016 that mirrors what we saw in 2014', Dr Teri Schreiner, from the Children's Hospital Of Colorado, told NBC News

Researchers do not know what causes AFM, or what triggers weakness in the arms and legs during the disease.

AFM has several causes, which include infections by enteroviruses (polio and non-polio), the West Nile virus and viruses of the same family, and adenoviruses. 

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. Braden (pictured) has recently started sitting up again - a skill he practices in physical therapy

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. Braden (pictured) has recently started sitting up again - a skill he practices in physical therapy

'He was a regular kid a few months ago,' Braden's mother wrote in a Facebook update last month. The little boy is pictured before being diagnosed with AFM

'He was a regular kid a few months ago,' Braden's mother wrote in a Facebook update last month. The little boy is pictured before being diagnosed with AFM

Fifty people across 24 states have contracted AFM from January to August this year, the CDC reported Monday. This graph shows the AFM surge in 2014 as well as the recent increase

Fifty people across 24 states have contracted AFM from January to August this year, the CDC reported Monday. This graph shows the AFM surge in 2014 as well as the recent increase

Children affected by AFM typically experience paralysis on most of their body and need a ventilator to breathe.

There is no specific treatment for AFM and patients work with doctors on a case-by-case basis to recover the use of their limbs. 

Braden Scott, 5, was diagnosed with AFM in July in Houston, Texas. He still needs a ventilator and has had to remain in the hospital.

But his parents are hopeful because the little boy has recently started sitting up again - a skill he practices during physical therapy sessions. 

McKenzie Andersen was 6 when she got the disease in 2014 and was left paralyzed except for her left hand, feet and toes. She is pictured left before her diagnosis and after.

McKenzie Andersen was 6 when she got the disease in 2014 and was left paralyzed except for her left hand, feet and toes. She is pictured left before her diagnosis and after.

The recent increase in cases is similar to the 2014 surge that paralyzed more than 100 children around the country, Dr Teri Schreiner, from the Children's Hospital Of Colorado, said

The recent increase in cases is similar to the 2014 surge that paralyzed more than 100 children around the country, Dr Teri Schreiner, from the Children's Hospital Of Colorado, said

WHAT IS ACUTE FLACCID MYELITIS AND HOW TO SPOT IT? 

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord.

It can result from several causes, including viral infections.

Enteroviruses (polio and non-polio), the West Nile virus and viruses in the same family, as well as adenoviruses are associated with AFM.

Symptoms include:

Sudden weakness in the limbs

Loss of muscle tone and reflexes.

Facial droop or weakness,

Difficulty moving the eyes,

Drooping eyelids

Difficulty swallowing 

Slurred speech

Some patients have pain in their arms or legs or cannot urinate.

The most severe symptom of AFM is respiratory failure, which can happen when the muscles involved in breathing weaken.

Patients with respiratory failure need a ventilator.

There is no treatment for AFM. Neurologists can work with patients on a case-by-case basis.

Physical therapy can help patients regain the use of some of their muscles.

Source: CDC 

In August, his parents decided to teach him as much of the kindergarten curriculum as possible. Braden on Tuesday studied maths on his hospital bed.

'He was a regular kid a few months ago. It seems like it was just yesterday, but at the same time, I can't really remember what his actual voice sounds like,' his mother Rachel wrote in an update last month.

She has urged Facebook users to share her son's story to teach other parents to be on the lookout for the first signs of AFM.

Carter Roberts, 3, of Chesterfield, Virginia,became paralyzed from the nose down over the course of one weekend in July.

He can only move one toe and the left eye of his face, as well as blink and stick his tongue out, NBC News reported.

His mother Robin hopes speech therapy can help her son.

'I got to hear him talk and he said just a handful of words and as a mom, it was the sweetest sound ever,' she told NBC News.

'I wake up and am hopeful every day that he's going to make some progress. It's hard not a feel a little bit robbed because this happened so quickly, but it was just a virus.'

McKenzie Andersen was 6 when she got the disease in 2014.

'Within 12 days 'she was paralyzed from the neck down, on a ventilator to breathe for her. She was left with her left hand and her feet and toes that move,' her mother told the Washington Post.

'How do you ever wrap your brain around the fact that she got a cold, and now she's a quadriplegic on a ventilator? It's a nightmare you never wake up from.' 

Carter Roberts, 3, of Chesterfield, Virginia,became paralyzed from the nose down over the course of one weekend in July. He is pictured with his sisters before the diagnosis

Carter Roberts, 3, of Chesterfield, Virginia,became paralyzed from the nose down over the course of one weekend in July. He is pictured with his sisters before the diagnosis

The little boy (pictured in the hospital with his mother) can only move one toe and the left eye of his face, as well as blink and stick his tongue out

The little boy (pictured in the hospital with his mother) can only move one toe and the left eye of his face, as well as blink and stick his tongue out

'It's hard not a feel a little bit robbed because this happened so quickly, but it was just a virus,' Carter's mother Robin (pictured) said

'It's hard not a feel a little bit robbed because this happened so quickly, but it was just a virus,' Carter's mother Robin (pictured) said

HOW TO PREVENT ACUTE ACUTE FLACCID MYELITIS?

Be up to date on all recommended vaccinations, including poliovirus.

Use mosquito repellent and stay indoor at dusk and dawn to protect yourself from viruses such as the West Nile virus, which has been associated with AFM.

Wash your hands frequently using soap and water.

Avoid being in close contact with sick people.

Clean surface with a disinfectant, especially if someone is sick.

Wash your hands before your touch food, after going to the bathroom, touching an animal, changing a baby's diaper or blowing your nose.

Wash your hands before and after taking care of someone who is sick or before and after tending to a wound or cut. 

Source: CDC 

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now