LOCAL DOCTORS ARE BEING ASKED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR PEOPLE WITH POLIO-LIKE SYMPTOMS. THAT’S BECAUSE SUCH SYMPTOMS HAVE LED TO A TYPE OF PARALYSIS IN MORE THAN 20 CHILDREN IN CALIFORNIA (1 OF THOSE IN SAN BENITO COUNTY). THE ACUTE FLACCID PARALYSIS CAUSED SUDDEN PARALYSIS IN 1 OR MORE OF THE CHILDREN’S LIMBS. SAMPLES FROM 2 OF THE EFFECTED CHILDREN TESTED POSITIVE FOR ENTEROVIRUS 68, WHICH IS EXTREMELY RARE AND CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS. ENTEROVIRUSES, RHINOVIRUSES, AND POLIOVIRUS ARE ALL PART OF THE PICORNAVIRIDAE FAMILY.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ENTEROVIRUSES INCLUDE: RUNNY NOSE, COUGH, SKIN RASHES, FEVER, AND BODY ACHES.
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE BEING ASKED TO SEND SAMPLES FROM SIMILAR CASES TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
