Paralyzing Polio-Like Illness Diagnosed In 10 Illinois Children

ILLINOIS — The Illinois Department of Public Health said 10 children in northern Illinois have now been diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis, also known as AFM. The debilitating polio-like illness can cause paralysis, weakness in the arms and legs and difficulty swallowing, and the cause of the disease remains a mystery.

"All 10 suspected cases are among children in northern Illinois," IDPH said, adding it continues to work with health care providers to collect necessary information to send to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC will review the information to confirm if the case will be classified as AFM.

The illness has now been reported in 22 states, up from 16 states just a week ago. There are now 62 confirmed reports of AFM nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up from 38 reported last week.

The CDC said the average age of patients affected by AFM is 4, and 90 percent of patients are age 18 or younger.

In late September, the Payne family of Batavia shared the story of daughter Julia, 2, who was diagnosed with AFM, a rare condition that affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. Julia was admitted to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago in mid-September and has since undergone a tracheotomy and plasmapheresis, a treatment that cleanses blood plasma. Her family said the next step in her recovery is rehab to help her regain strength and movement in her arms and neck.

"Much is still unknown about AFM and often, a cause for AFM cannot be identified," IDPH said last week, adding that symptoms can include:

• sudden onset of limb weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes
• facial droop/weakness
• difficulty moving the eyes
• drooping eyelids
• difficulty with swallowing or slurred speech

"If you or your child develops any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care right away," IDPH said.
Health officials advised residents to take these steps to stay healthy but acknowledged that it is unknown if they can help prevent the spread of AFM:

• washing your hands often with soap and water
• avoiding close contact with sick people
• cleaning surfaces with a disinfectant, especially surfaces that a sick person has touched

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