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Rare illness identified in Columbiana County

COLUMBUS — A case of a rare, mysterious illness that can paralyze children has been confirmed in Columbiana County, one of four such cases in Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Health said Friday it has notified health care providers to be alert for and to report suspected cases of the neurological condition called acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. It’s characterized by sudden, asymmetric weakness in the arms or legs. The cause is unknown.

Ohio’s reported cases occurred in Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Mercer and Pickaway counties in August and September, and all affected boys from 1 to 13 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state health department. All were hospitalized, but no deaths have resulted.

The CDC has confirmed 62 cases across 22 states this year, compared with 33 cases last year, and is investigating dozens more reports. Most of the confirmed cases nationally involve children.

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