Thanks to physical distancing, masks, doctors see fewer cases of a polio-like condition in children

Respiratory viruses that typically increase nationwide during the fall and winter are now circulating at reduced levels because of the implementation of policies and precautions to curb the spread of COVID-19. These respiratory viruses include EV-D68, an enterovirus that can cause colds but is also believed to be the main cause of a rare, polio-like syndrome that develops in some children called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). Increases in AFM cases have occurred every other year since 2014, and officials predicted that 2020 would follow that pattern. But CDC data reveals there were just 30 confirmed AFM cases in 2020, compared with 238 in 2018 and 153 in 2016. The effect of other respiratory viruses has also been comparatively mild. So far, one child has died from influenza in the 2020-21 season, compared with approximately 140 or more each in the past 3 seasons. Trends indicate levels of some rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, RSV, and other pathogens are down from past cold and influenza periods. Experts believe it may be possible the AFM spike could occur this year if people eventually return to normal activities. Epidemiologist Priya Duggal, MD, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, says: “One of the concerns is that in fall 2021, with kids back in school and enough adults vaccinated that we change our behaviors, could it emerge then?”