Possible case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis in Douglas County

Federal Health officials are worried about an increase in a rare and mysterious condition that mostly affects children.

The condition can paralyze arms and legs, with 130 confirmed or suspected cases reported as of Tuesday.

Now one of those cases could be in Douglas County.

It’s called Acute Flaccid Myelitis.

It’s a condition that has puzzled health officials for years.

The Douglas County Health Dept. says it’s possible that one young child has a case of the illness. A case from Iowa was also being treated in Nebraska according to Nebraska Health and Human services. 

Doctors are monitoring the child right now, and say it may take up to three weeks for a diagnosis.

The CDC says there are cases spanning 22 states.

All have tested negative for Polio.

Health officials say the best preventative measure is washing your hands.   We spoke to Tim Timmons of the Lancaster County Health Department and he said there are no possible cases in Lancaster County.  

For more information about the illness, here are links to the Center For Disease Control. 

https://www.cdc.gov/acute-flaccid-myelitis/

https://www.cdc.gov/acute-flaccid-myelitis/afm-surveillance.html