UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh confirmed Oct. 9 that three children being treated at the facility are believed to have acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like illness that affects the body's nervous system and may cause paralysis, according to CBS 2 Pittsburgh.
"UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is taking care of three children with suspected acute flaccid myelitis. The patients are currently undergoing diagnostic procedures and treatments. Isolation protocols and infection control procedures are in place and we are working with the CDC and the Allegheny County Health Department to further monitor and evaluate the patient conditions," the hospital said in a statement to CBS 2 Pittsburgh.
An estimated 38 cases have been confirmed across 16 states, according to the report.
The CDC reported 362 cases of acute flaccid myelitis between August 2014 and August 2018. The agency said the condition is not new, but the recent influx of cases in 2014 was linked to the spread of an enterovirus known as EVD68.
Symptoms of the disease include weakness of the limbs, facial drooping and trouble swallowing or speaking. Health officials said there is no cure for the condition, though several treatments may be used to alleviate the symptoms.