Health officials confirm seventh case of condition causing muscle weakness
The Minnesota Department of Health says that a seventh child has been struck by a rare condition that can lead to death, paralysis or other long-term health problems.
But unlike six other children previously struck by the disease, this victim has not been affected severely enough to warrant hospitalization.
The malady is known as acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, for short. Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist Jayne Griffith says parents should watch their kids for signs of the illness.
"Note if anything seems different in terms of the way they're moving or the way they may be holding an arm or a leg or maybe talking about muscle pains or aches," she said.
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All the children afflicted are under the age of 10. The first six victims were hospitalized. All but one have been released.
"I believe that of the first six, five of them have been discharged from the hospital," Griffith said. "One is still hospitalized and a couple of the cases that were discharged were receiving some outpatient rehabilitation services."
Federal officials say that at least 62 cases of the paralyzing illness have been confirmed in 22 states this year.
AFM can arise after an infection and affects the nervous system. Symptoms include sudden weakness in arm and leg muscles, neck weakness or stiffness, drooping of the eyelids or face, difficulty swallowing or slurred speech.