LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Federal and state health officials have confirmed three Arkansas children have a rare, polio-like illness that can cause paralysis in the arms and legs.
The Arkansas Department of Health announced the diagnoses on Monday following
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s investigation into an
increase in reported cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Dirk Haselow says health authorities don’t know how
the condition is spread, what causes it or how to prevent it. AFM was first
discovered in 2014, and its symptoms include sudden arm or leg weakness, facial
droop, difficulty swallowing and slurred speech.
Haselow says the illness targets children between ages 4 and 5. He says it’s
rare for those with the condition to completely regain their strength or
mobility.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI