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CDC sees spike in kids being treated for mysterious paralyzing illness

PITTSBURGH — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new numbers Tuesday for a mysterious illness that is causing concern across the country.

The CDC now says it has seen 127 cases of suspected acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. Of those, 62 are confirmed across 22 states, including Pennsylvania, Florida and Georgia. That's up from 38 cases just last week, a 62 percent increase.

"Ninety percent of the cases are in those less than 18 years of age, so it is a disease primarily of children," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, with the CDC.

The Allegheny County Health Department told Channel 11 it’s still investigating three suspected cases.

All three children are still being treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Lawrenceville.

Two of the children are from Allegheny County, and one is from Washington County.

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AFM starts with symptoms similar to a cold but can cause weakness or paralysis in the arms and legs.

The symptoms remind many people of polio; however, there is no vaccine to prevent AFM.

Doctors are reminding parents that AFM is rare, though they don’t know the cause.

They're also reminding people that the best way to fight the virus is to be vigilant about washing your hands.

"We're looking really broadly at any possible cause, so we're looking at anything that might be causing the AFM because our earlier investigations haven't revealed the cause," Messonier said.

There's also no known cure.

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