Nine cases of polio-like illness suspected in children in illinois

Nine cases of polio-like illness suspected in children in illinois

(HealthDay)—Nine recent cases of a rare, polio-like disorder in children are being investigated in Illinois, health officials said yesterday.

All the patients with the condition, called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), are younger than 18 and from northern Illinois, according to the state's Department of Public Health, CNN reported.

Since 2015, Illinois has had four confirmed cases of AFM. Symptoms include sudden limb weakness, loss of and reflexes, facial and eyelid drooping, facial weakness, difficulty moving the eyes, swallowing difficulty, or slurred speech, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition can be caused by a virus, a genetic disorder, and . There is no treatment other than managing symptoms, CNN reported.

Five possible cases of AFM in children under age 6 in Washington state are being investigated by . There has been one confirmed case of AFM in the state this year, and there were three confirmed cases last year. Earlier this week, Colorado health officials said there have been 14 confirmed cases of AFM in that state this year. All the patients are children who required hospitalization, but health officials said "nearly all have fully recovered," CNN reported.

More information: CNN Article
More Information: CDC

Copyright © 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Citation: Nine cases of polio-like illness suspected in children in illinois (2018, October 12) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-10-cases-polio-like-illness-children-illinois.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Polio-like condition in children on rise again in the US

24 shares

Feedback to editors