Elaina Poulos   10/21/18

Biology Honors Per. 3            Current Event Review

Fox, Maggie. “Why Is It so Hard to Figure out This Polio-like Illness Hitting Kids?”

NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 21 Oct. 2018, 6:30 AM, www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/why-it-so-hard-figure-out-polio-illness-hitting-kids-n922011.

I chose the article “Doctors are Struggling to Find a Cause of This Paralyzing Condition” from NBC News to write my current event review on. This article starts out by explaining to the readers that doctors are really baffled because of the uprise of this rare polio-like disease mainly found in children. The name of this illness is called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). Then the article goes into saying that last year there were only a few amount of cases, but now for some unknown reason, it is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made a statement that it’s currently investigating 127 reported cases and so far 62 of them have been confirmed to be acute flaccid myelitis in 22 states. The article includes a quote from Dr. Nancy Messonnier from the CDC, “We have not been able to find the cause of the majority of AFM cases. Despite extensive laboratory testing, we have not determined what pathogen or immune response caused the arm or leg weakness and paralysis in most patients. We don’t know who may be at a higher risk for developing AFM or the reasons why they may be at higher risk.” This response from Dr.Messonnier is scary because we really don’t know what causes this condition so we don’t know the steps a person can take to try to prevent it. It is also strange how the number rose so dramatically from the previous year. In addition, the article tells the viewers that the first wave of this illness occurred in 2014 with 386 cases, but not to panic since the chances of getting this disease is less than one million, so it is very rare. Also it is has been compared to polio, but Dr. Benjamin Greenberg who is an expert in rare neurological autoimmune disorders at the University of Texas claims that AFM is not causing the muscle weakness or paralysis to the degree polio did. Also the article explains that people are generally not tested for viruses therefore public health officials are not aware of what's going around. Doctors and public health officials can only really find out which viruses are going around until there is a widespread outbreak of a virus that forces people into hospitals. Despite this, in around 2014 there was speculation that the virus EV-D68 was the main cause of AFM, but doctors are not 100% sure with this answer because as the article states, “since 2014 there has not been any notable increases in cases of EV-D68, even as cases of AFM rise and fall.” The fact that we don’t know what’s responsible for AFM is bad since doctors don’t how to vaccinate people against it. Also we are not even aware if the cause of AFM is due to a virus. This articles also informs the readers about another concern of this disease which is the immune systems’ of most patients clear up the infection so by the time doctors run tests a specific viral cause does not appear. The CDC does want to be clear on one thing and that is none of the patients tested positive for polio. Symptoms of this disease are it usually starts out as a fever with a possible running nose, but then turns into weakness in the arm or leg with the dreaded droopy eyelid and face. To be clear the main telltale symptoms of this disease are weakness in the arm or leg (as in you can’t move it or can’t get up) and a droopy face. Lastly, as of now the only way to try to protect yourself from this scary disease is to wash your hands.

The content in this article is very relevant and is affecting our society now. There has been 62 cases recorded as of now of acute flaccid myelitis in 2018. Also the cases have been widespread, occurring in 22 different states in the US. Also as mentioned before this disease is frightening especially to young children (who are the most susceptible to this disease). It leaves some children partially paralyzed in places like their arms and legs. It is important that people are aware of this disease so they can take measures to protect themselves and their children. Also it is also important to know that you can develop this disease indirectly which makes it even more concerning. For example, if someone is bitten by a tick or mosquito and they develop either West Nile Virus, Jamestown Canyon Virus, Lacrosse virus, Powassan virus, St.Louis encephalitis, and Eastern equine encephalitis, they can eventually down the road develop AFM. You may ask how? Well as the article states “These viruses cause symptoms including encephalitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the brain; acute flaccid paralysis, which can include AFM and similar conditions; and meningitis.” People should know this so they can dress accordingly when they know they are in a place with a high concentration of ticks or mosquitoes. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which is a federal agency suggests that people should cover up and use repellent to prevent insect and tick bites. This disease is hurting our children and is paralyzing them. As of now, with what we know, this disease can affect anyone. So it is important to take the necessary precautions. Nobody wants to contract this horrible and scary polio-like illness.

I believe the article I read was very informational and well-written. I believe it provided me with useful information and it was written sophistically, but not to the point where it was difficult to read. The average person could read this article and definitely understand it. Another strength is was that it included real quotes from respected and educated officials such as Dr. Nancy Messonnier from the CDC and expert Dr. Benjamin Greenberg. I also liked how the author of this article included where the doctors were from and their place of occupation so we are aware of their background and know they are accredited individuals. The article was not too long to the point where it became boring and uninteresting to read, but it also wasn’t too short and brief.  There are a few areas where this article could be improved such as I wish the author included more about AFM as in how does this disease cause arm and leg weakness. I was curious to find out so I had to look up the answer and it says that it targets the spinal cord which leads to arm and leg weakness and loss of muscle tone. Also as I reread the article I realize that it never states how there exists no cure or specific medical treatment which is true. It glosses over that part and may make some readers wonder “does a cure exist?”. The article does include how there exists no vaccination against it, but does not go in depth about how there is no cure. In addition, another weakness is the author doesn’t explain any possible treatment that could improve the lives of patients. I think the author, to improve the article, should have added that patients may seek physical or occupational therapy to improve their conditions. Lastly, I think this article should have ended with a proper conclusion. It ended with “This is why the CDC’s advice for preventing an infection that might lead to AFM is so general: wash your hands, and cover up and use repellent to prevent insect and tick bites.” An improvement I suggest is that the author should write a conclusion that sums up all the major topics that were discussed and that wraps up the piece. In conclusion, author Maggie Fox wrote a really nice and informative article explaining why it is so hard to figure out why acute flaccid myelitis is targeting kids.