More cases of rare polio-like illness reported in Harris and Galveston County
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A little girl between the age of one and five is the latest confirmed case of acute flaccid myelitis in Harris and Galveston Counties.
The young girl began experiencing muscle weakness and fever in late June. A month later it was reported to the CDC as a possible case of AFM.
The CDC confirmed the case on Aug. 27. In total, eight confirmed cases of acute flaccid myelitis have been reported across multiple counties in Texas, and all patients, with the exception of one, are children.
According to the state health department, there is no cure.
"It's been around for a while, but we've seen a spike in the last four years," says Dr. Sherri Onyiego, from Harris County Public Health.
SEE MORE: Texas officials confirm 8 cases of rare polio-like illness
The CDC says AFM presents itself like polio or West Nile. Symptoms include weakness, loss of muscle tone, facial droop, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and in severe cases paralysis.
The health department says AFM is not required to be reported in Texas and explains the current number of cases reflect those that have been shared voluntarily and have been through the case status determination process with the Centers for Disease Control.
The department also states there are a few cases being reviewed right now that are not reflected in the official case count.
The CDC said there have been 362 cases of AFM recorded in the U.S. from 2014 to 2018.
