Acute flaccid myelitis is being called a mystery illness after several cases across the United States are leaving doctors and officials puzzled.
“Every time we get another case were learning more about it and how to better prevent it,” Katherine Wells, the director of public health for the City of Lubbock said.
Wells said the illness is considered rare with only 25 cases in Texas, but it’s considered very serious. Mostly found in children, she said it affects the nervous system and in some cases causes paralysis.
“The symptoms are sudden arm or leg weakness. Other symptoms are drooping eye lids, drooping smile or difficulty swallowing and slurred speech,” Wells said.
Right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been investigating the illness. But Wells said they still don’t know how to prevent it, how it’s spreading or where it came from.
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