A new disease is starting to appear that is polio-like in nature and can paralyze children. This appears to be AFM, or acute flaccid myelitis, which is normally rare. The number of cases has doubled in the past year. In Seattle, Washington, eight children have been admitted with what appears to be AFM.

Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare illness that affects a person’s nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. Anyone can contract AFM from a variety of causes including viral infections. Polio was eliminated from the United States back in 1979. According to the CDC, this polio-like disease has been confirmed in 50 cases in 24 states from January 1­–August 31, 2016.