Arizona health officials confirm 2 cases of rare illness paralyzing kids
Oct 17, 2018, 9:39 AM | Updated: 7:38 pm
(Pexels.com Photo)
(Pexels.com Photo)
PHOENIX — Arizona health officials have confirmed two cases of a rare illness that has paralyzed children in more than 20 states.
The Arizona Department of Health Services said in an email to KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday the cases of the polio-like acute flaccid myelitis were not related to the cluster of diagnoses reported in Minnesota. Seven children have been affected in that state.
At least 65 other illnesses around the U.S. were being investigated as possible cases.
About 90 percent of the cases are children who have suffered muscle weakness or paralysis, including in the face, neck, back or limbs.
Symptoms tend to occur about a week after they had a fever and respiratory illness.
Medical experts have been unable to find a cause nor have they been able to determine who is at risk.
There have been 62 reported cases in 22 states this year, the Centers for Disease Control said on its website.
Other states with cases included Colorado, Illinois and Washington.
The federal agency said similar waves of the illness occurred in 2014 and 2016. There were 120 confirmed cases in 2014 and 149 two years later.
Those cases were partly attributed to certain strains of respiratory germs called enteroviruses, which spread the most during the summer and fall.
Last year the number dropped to 16, making the pattern one that hits harder every other year.
Lacking an established cause, health officials have confirmed cases through a review of brain scans and symptoms.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
