On Friday, the 9th of September, the CDC issued an alert on Enterovirus D68. This disease causes respiratory illness in kids and can sometimes cause muscle weakness and paralysis. This is because of AFM, or acute flaccid myelitis which is a rare effect of D68. It causes inflammation in the neck region of the spinal cord and difficulty moving the arms. There is concern over AFM since having a full recovery is rare. Looking at the stats, AFM usually spikes one year, and then its cases drop after people build immunity. Since the last spike was in 2018, we’re not wearing masks and protecting ourselves as much anymore. It is possible cases will rise this year.
