Local boy partially paralyzed from rare polio-like virus

NASHUA, N.H. — Over the last four years, doctors have seen a spike in a rare illness that affects children, leaving them paralyzed similar to polio.

A local family wants other parents to learn more about a fast-acting virus that they’ve unfortunately had a crash course in.

A few months ago, 2-year-old Matthew was diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis.

“You watch your child and you can't help them, and it’s not like he's sick.  He's paralyzed.  And I can't make it better,” said Calsie O’Brien from Nashua.

O’Brien said her son had been perfectly healthy, but one day, playing outside in June, something changed.

“All of a sudden, we both looked back and he was frozen.  It was like he hit a wall or something,” said O’Brien.

Matthew's arm went limp and then later his leg.  Doctors eventually diagnosed him with acute flaccid myelitis, a disease that is believed to be caused by a virus that inflames the spinal cord.

Neither O'Brien nor dad Derek Melanson had ever heard of it before.  It's described as a polio-like syndrome, leaving children paralyzed.  Even doctors know little about it; the CDC said it can be caused by enterovriuses, the West Nile virus and adenoviruses. However, many other viruses and genetic disorders can cause AFM as well.

“They know what it is, but they don't know how to cure it, and that's tough to take as a parent,” said Melanson.

Doctors at Mass General Hospital told FOX25 that since 2012, they've seen hundreds of these mysterious cases break out across the country in children under the age of 12.

Dr. Tanuja Chitnis said the phenomenon is so new, doctors are still working to understand it.

"Unfortunately, sometimes, there is no perfect answer,” Chitnis said.

According to the CDC, symptoms include of limb weakness, sometimes accompanied by cranial nerve dysfunction (such as facial drooping or difficulty speaking).

She said scientists are working to eventually develop a vaccine, but the current treatment is physical therapy, which Matthew is in regularly. The CDC says the best way to prevent it is to have all recommended vaccines, including poliovirus, and by washing your hands.

The plan for his parents is to hold on to hope.

“Nobody knows when it will be better, or if it ever will be,” O’Brien said.

Treating Matthew has become very expensive and the family said they've had to battle their insurance company for coverage. They've set up a GoFundMe account to help pay the bills.

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