Information key to dispelling fears of illness

62 cases of rare ailment confirmed, but little is known about cause

Any time an unknown illness starts making headlines, it’s a concern. And when the primary victims are young children, it’s downright alarming.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said a rare paralyzing illness in children has seen a jump in cases, and officials are stumped as to what’s causing it.

At least 62 cases have been confirmed in 22 states this year, with at least 65 additional illnesses in those states under investigation, the Associated Press reports.

In about 90 percent of the cases, children suffered muscle weakness or paralysis, including in the face, neck, back or limbs, with symptoms developing about a week after the child had a fever and respiratory illness, the AP reports.

Officials have given it a name: acute flaccid myelitis. And, this isn’t the first time it has been seen. In 2014, 120 confirmed cases were reported, and 149 were reported in 2016. Cases in 2015 and 2017 were far lower, AP reports.

The average age of those who contract the illness is 4, with 90 percent of cases striking people under the age of 18.

The CDC website notes that the condition is rare but serious, affecting the nervous system, specifically the area of the spinal cord called grey matter.

But that’s about all that is known right now. The CDC has not yet released a list of states reporting probable or confirmed cases, which is troubling.

According to Cronkite News Service, Arizona has seen at least eight cases since 2014, when the illness first surfaced in the Midwest.

And as to what’s causing it? “This is a mystery so far,” a CDC official told the AP. However, officials do suspect a virus is involved. As far as preventive actions, the unknown factors make it hard to set forth a comprehensive game plan. The CDC recommends people make sure their families are current on vaccinations and that they take steps to protect against mosquito bites, as well as keeping germs at bay with frequent handwashing. Essentially, the recommendations are blanket preventative steps that are just good practice, which may or may not help in this situation.

The illness is troublesome, and so too is the CDC’s unwillingness to say which states have seen cases.

Being transparent with as much information as possible can give parents context to the situation. If cases were seen in Arizona or California, for example, parents would know to be extra vigilant for symptoms, and to start taking preventative action.

Because the illness is so rare – less than one in a million people will get it, the CDC reports – it’s hard to gauge. But if the CDC is transparent and open with as much information as possible, it can do a lot to alleviate fears and dispel rumors – and that is critical in a situation like this.