(LEX 18)– A case of a polio-like virus has been confirmed in Kentucky.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating 127 possible cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), and as of now, 62 of them have been confirmed across the country.
Health experts say it’s most common in children and the symptoms are similar to the flu.
The CDC is still researching what causes the paralyzing condition of the virus, but they do know the paralyzing condition is rare.
“Moms and dads should worry about their kids, but numerically, it’s not as big of a worry as influenza. Last year we lost five children, five children died in Kentucky, due to complications of influenza.”
In the last 10 years, no children have died from AFM.
While there is no specific treatment for the virus, doctors say you can prevent it using the same steps to prevent the flu. Those include washing your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds; avoiding people who are sick; and taking respiratory precautions.
