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.
New findings related to recent cases of polio-like disorder in Minnesota Children
- By Alexandra Erritt
Choosing Children’s Minnesota
Children’s Minnesota offers a breadth of services to get the health care your child needs, because we care about your child’s health and well-being.
Popular Categories
Recent Stories
Choosing Children’s Minnesota
Children’s Minnesota offers a breadth of services to get the health care your child needs, because we care about your child’s health and well-being.
Popular Categories
Recent Stories
More news stories

We’re excited to highlight Traci, nurse and lactation consultant, for National Breastfeeding Month! Keep reading to learn more about Traci’s work in supporting families with their feeding goals, what she...

Children’s Minnesota’s Minneapolis emergency department renovation, designed to reduce wait times and improve the patient care experience, has been recognized by Finance & Commerce and Minnesota Physician....

Children’s Minnesota is proud to share that it has earned a Silver award in the Best Pediatrics category in the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Minnesota’s Best 2026 best-of contest....