EVERETT — State health officials are investigating possible cases of a rare neurological illness after nine Washington children recently were hospitalized, including one from Snohomish County.
One of the children, a 6-year-old from Whatcom County, has died. Five others have been released, and three remained at Seattle Children’s Hospital as of Tuesday afternoon.
The most recent case was reported Tuesday after a child from Snohomish County was hospitalized this weekend. Officials on Tuesday would not release the child’s age, gender or city of residence, citing privacy concerns.
“We did our initial investigation and found that the symptoms fit what we would call a possible case for AFM,” said Julie Graham, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Health.
Two of the nine cases under investigation have been confirmed as acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. The other seven, including the child who died, have not been confirmed, though symptoms are consistent.
The Department of Health is leading an investigation, working with Children’s, county health agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
AFM is a rare condition that affects the nervous system. Symptoms can include sudden weakness in arms or legs and loss of reflexes and muscle tone.
The cause of AFM is unknown. Common germs that lead to sore throats and respiratory infections have been linked to AFM, as have some autoimmune conditions, mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika or West Nile, and the type of virus that causes polio.
The children who have been hospitalized showed varying symptoms and severity, but all lost strength or movement in one or more limbs. They range in age from 3 to 14.
Investigators are looking at how many of the patients’ illnesses meet the definition of AFM and whether there might be a common cause.
“We don’t have any indication that there is a single source, and we don’t have any indication of the cause of any individual case,” Graham said. “We don’t know what is causing these or whether there is a common cause or a common germ.”
The Centers for Disease Control will make the final call on whether additional cases are AFM. The condition also can affect adults, but children seem to be more likely to suffer from it, Graham said. Children tend to be more susceptible to illness because of their developing immune systems.
If parents notice that their child has lost motion in one or more limbs, “we would want the parent to take that seriously and call their health care provider,” Graham said.
No cases of AFM were reported in Washington last year. There were two in 2014.
Three of the children recently hospitalized are from King County, two each from Franklin and Whatcom counties and one each from Pierce and Snohomish counties.
A website has been set up by the Department of Health at doh.wa.gov/AFM.
“I wish we had answers,” Graham said. “We don’t right now.”
She reminded parents to make sure children wash their hands and avoid spending time with people who are ill. Common illnesses in adults can be more dangerous for kids.
Nationwide, more than 50 cases of AFM have been reported this year.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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