CDC Probing Link between Paralysis and Enterovirus in Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  is investigating if the Enterovirus 68 that has caused respiratory illness among children in almost half of the U.S. states is responsible for the paralysis symptoms seen in nine Colorado young patients.

All the nine patient are below 18  and  have shown some symptoms  of paralysis after contacting the virus. So far the doctors have not been able to establish a link between the virus and the paralytic symptoms but four patients have tested positive for the virus, reports ABC news. Two other cases are suffering from some other unknown virus.

The CDC is investigating the matter and has asked health officials to look out for the symptoms. They do not believe that the virus is related to Polio, which is caused by a virus, as all the children are up to date on their polio vaccines.

"This is a very small number of patients," Larry Wolk, director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment told the Denver Post, reports  The Washington Post. "That's why we're asking if there are other cases. People shouldn't panic."

The Enterovirus is generally active during the autumn and affects children and young adults, especially those who suffer from some respiratory disorders and asthma. If not diagnosed early, the symptoms get worse and affect the spinal cord.

Earlier this year, 25 cases of polio-like symptoms in children were found by CDC and most tested positive for Enterovirus 68, reports The Washington Post.