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According to the Minnesota Department of Health, all six cases have been classified as acute flaccid myelitis and have been reported in children under 10 years of age.
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Quinton Hill, age 7, of Lakeville, Minnesota, is one of the state's children diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like disorder that can cause paralysis.(Photo: KARE-TV, Minneapolis-St. Paul)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – Centers for Disease Control and Control a rare but potentially serious condition, leading to weakness or even paralysis of the arms and legs, is increasing, affecting mainly children.

Between August 2014 and August 2018, the CDC received 362 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).

The Minnesota Department of Health recently announced that six cases of AFD have been classified in its state and reported in children under 10 living in twin cities, in central Minnesota and in the northeast. from Minnesota.

Quinton Hill, seven, of Lakeville, is one of six confirmed cases.

"It was very scary," said his father James. "There is not much to do and as a parent it is very difficult to manage."

Quinton lost a lot of strength in his left arm, as well as a weakness in his legs and neck.

"Looking up a little more to look to the side was a blessing because we did not know if it would come back," says Hill.

The family has felt helpless in recent weeks. Doctors know very little about the disease, but thanks to other families, who suffer from the same disease, they feel better now.

"There is a group on Facebook with a few hundred parents who take care of that and that helps," Hill said. "We want to tell others that they are not alone in this situation."

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The MDH has contacted doctors in the region to be on the lookout for similar cases as local investigators are actively working to gather more information.

It is known that the disease strikes the nervous system through the spinal cord. Symptoms may include sudden weakness of the arms and legs, drooping eyelids, facial weakness, difficulty moving the eyes, and slurred speech / difficulty swallowing.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the disease was not new, but that a recent influx of cases in 2014 (mainly in California and Colorado) had been associated with the spread of the disease. an enterovirus called EVD68. Minnesota has witnessed three cases of MFA during this year. However, since then, officials say they usually see only one case a year.

If your child has MFA symptoms, you should contact your health care provider immediately.

At the present time, there is no specific treatment for the AFM, but doctors may recommend certain interventions, as appropriate.

The MDH recommends that parents take basic steps to avoid infections and stay healthy:

  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Cover your cough
  • Stay at home if you're sick
  • Stay up to date on vaccinations
  • Protect your children from mosquito bites if you are outside

Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/08/rare-polio-like-disorder-sickens-6-children-minnesota/1563295002/