The number of confirmed acute flaccid myelitis cases reached a record high this week, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Here are four things to know:
1. The CDC on Dec. 10 confirmed 158 cases of acute flaccid myelitis across 36 states, marking a 24-case increase from a week prior. The agency is also investigating another 153 suspected cases.
2. The current tally surpasses the 149 AFM cases confirmed in 2014.
3. The CDC on Dec. 3 said AFM cases have likely peaked for the year, with the number of cases under investigation dropping by 12 this week, according to CNN.
4. The exact cause of the illness is still unknown.
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