Health officials have confirmed the first case of a rare paralyzing illness in South Dakota. Acute flaccid myelitis can cause weakness in the arms and legs, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and other symptoms. More than 150 cases of the disease have been reported around the country this year.
State epidemiologist Josh Clayton says the case in eastern South Dakota was first reported in early November. The confirmation comes after multiple tests and collaboration with the CDC.
“There’s no single laboratory test that can be done to identify cases," Clayton explains. "It really does come down to, ‘What is the clinical picture?’ So, what are the symptoms and signs that the individual has? What does the imaging—specifically the magnetic resonance imaging or MRI—what that shows in terms of the spinal column?”
Clayton says the muscle weakness that characterizes AFM is caused by inflamed nerves in the spinal column. He adds more than 90% of cases occur after a respiratory illness or fever.
Clayton says the long-term effects of AFM are still unknown.
“What we do know is that there’s only been one identified case in which a person died," he says. "And that’s going specifically to the impact AFM can have. That muscle weakness can impact a person’s ability to breathe, and that is what happened with that one death that occurred."
Clayton says that especially rare situation highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if AFM symptoms occur.
He says the best way for people to prevent AFM is by washing hands, not touching their face or mouth, and keeping up to date on vaccinations.