Oklahoma, Arkansas officials investigate polio-like illness

wireready_10-17-2018-17-28-01_05111_arkansasdepartmentofhealth

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ Health officials in Arkansas and Oklahoma say a rare
illness being compared to polio may have reached the states as it spreads across the U.S.Officials call the condition acute flaccid myelitis. It attacks the spinal cord
and nervous system and causes weakness or temporary paralysis in the arms and
legs. Most cases of weakness and paralysis have been in children.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of 127
patients with symptoms of the disease this year. The CDC has confirmed 62 cases
in 22 states, including Texas, and the rest are being investigated.

An analysis found the average age of the patients in confirmed cases over the
past five years is 4 years old, and 90 percent occur in children 18 and younger.

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