Health officials are investigating a 5th suspected case of acute flaccid myelitis in Massachusetts
Two cases of the rare, polio-like illness have been confirmed in the state.
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health says it is investigating a fifth suspected case of acute flaccid myelitis, the rare, polio-like illness that causes muscle weakness and paralysis.
The first case of the illness, for which there is no specific treatment or cure, was confirmed in Massachusetts in August, according the department. All of the cases, the two confirmed and five suspected, are in children.
So far in 2018, there have been 62 confirmed cases of AFM in 22 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cause of the illness is not known; it causes sudden onset of muscle weakness and even paralysis. Symptoms include facial droop, difficulty moving the eyes, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing.
