The Illinois Department of Public Health is confirming nine cases of an uncommon nervous system condition. The patients are under 18, from northern Illinois and have all been hospitalized with Acute Flaccid Myelitis or A-F-M. It can be caused by a variety of viruses, including West Nile, environmental toxins and genetic disorders says Public Health Director Dr. Nirav Shah.
There is no specific treatment so patients are cared for on a case by case basis.