Dr. Anupama Kalaskar, infectious disease specialist at Children’s Minnesota, worked with local and national infectious disease specialists on research that may have discovered the virus behind recent Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) cases. AFM is a neurological disorder affecting the spinal cord that damages nerves and their communication with muscles. Children with this disease report polio-like symptoms including limb weakness. Even with the identification of the Enterovirus-D68 virus’ role, doctors still do not know the best way to treat the disease because patients frequently received multiple treatments. In conjunction with public awareness about AFM, this research can help clinicians in case of future increases of AFM cases. Read the full Star Tribune story: Virus identified as a cause of paralyzing condition in Minnesota children.
The wait times in our emergency departments are longer than usual due to illnesses like RSV and the flu. View our estimated ED wait times and learn more about where to get care for your sick child.
