What’s causing a polio-like virus in children? 91AV’s Meghan May weighs in

Meghan May

Cases of a virus that resembles polio have been cropping up around the country, and scientists are struggling to understand why. Lifezette consulted 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences Meghan May, Ph.D., to learn more.

The illness, called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), causes respiratory symptoms along with pain, weakness and stiffness, and in some cases causes paralysis. There have been 50 cases confirmed in 24 states in the U.S.

“The disease is caused by several different viruses. It is important to clarify that while polio is an AFM, the disease outbreak we are currently experiencing is not truly polio,” May said. “There is not yet one single infectious agent that has been found in all 50 of this year’s cases, which indicates we either haven’t found it yet, or more likely perhaps we are looking at very similar clinical presentations that are caused by a few different viruses,” 

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The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.