Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) Statistics

Surveillance Overview

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has requested states provide information on suspect Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) cases since the fall of 2014, when clusters of pediatric cases with AFM were identified in Colorado and Kansas. At the same time, there was an ongoing nationwide outbreak of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). States have been reporting suspect AFM cases to CDC and submitting specimens for testing since the fall of 2014.
  • Most cases occurred between August and October. At this same time of year, many viruses commonly circulate, including enteroviruses. CDC thinks viruses, including enteroviruses, likely play a role in AFM in the United States. Most reported cases in the U.S. have been in children, but people of any age can get AFM.
  • CDC has seen increases in AFM cases, mostly in young children, in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

AFM in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has requested states provide information on suspect AFM cases since the fall of 2014, when clusters of pediatric cases with AFM were identified in Colorado and Kansas. At the same time, there was an ongoing nationwide outbreak of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). States have been reporting suspect AFM cases to CDC and submitting specimens for testing since the fall of 2014.

Most cases occurred between August and October. At this same time of year, many viruses commonly circulate, including enteroviruses. CDC thinks viruses, including enteroviruses, likely play a role in AFM in the United States. Most reported cases in the U.S. have been in children, but people of any age can get AFM. CDC has seen increases in AFM cases, mostly in young children, in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

National AFM Case Counts:

  • From August 2014 to December 2014, 120 confirmed AFM cases were reported from 34 states.
  • In 2015, 22 confirmed AFM cases were reported from 17 states.
  • In 2016, 153 confirmed AFM cases were reported from 39 states.
  • In 2017, 37 confirmed AFM cases were reported from 16 states.
  • In 2018, 236 confirmed AFM cases were reported from 41 states.
  • In 2019, 46 confirmed cases were reported from 18 states.
  • In 2020, there were 32 confirmed cases in 16 states and the District of Columbia.
  • As of August 6, 2021, there have been 13 confirmed cases in 8 states.

AFM in Georgia

Since August 2014, 17 cases of AFM (11 confirmed and 6 probable) have been reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Patient ages ranged from infancy to adulthood at weakness onset, and most cases occurred in children younger than 18 years old. Continuing routine surveillance for AFM in Georgia is necessary to determine the burden of this syndrome and establish baseline incidence.

Confirmed Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) Cases in Georgia, 2014-2021*
Year of Report Number of Cases
2014 1
2015 1
2016 3
2017 0
2018 4
2019 1
2020 0
2021 1

*Case counts are preliminary and subject to change

References

Page last updated 12/22/2022