State health officials are cautioning residents about a new and rare virus which has shown up in Iowa; there have been only a few cases reported, but the virus has symptoms which resemble those for polio.

Only two cases of acute flaccid myelitis have been reported in Iowa so far, but the effects can be devastating; weakness in arms and legs, loss of muscle tone, drooping eyelids or facial weakness, and in some cases difficulty in breathing which requires a respirator for support.

Judi Van Hulzen is the nurse manager for the Marion County Public Health Department; she tells KNIA/KRLS News prevention against viruses in general is the best way to avoid contracting this or any other disease.

“The main thing we want to make sure (of) is that people, they get those vaccines to make sure that they’re not getting any viruses. We want them to wash their hands thoroughly so they’re not picking up viruses from other people,” Van Hulzen says.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 72 cases have been reported in 24 states; many of them involve children, which increases the concern.

Van Hulzen says it does not appear to be directly communicable from person to person; it seems to be carried along by other viruses, and there may be some environmental or hereditary factors as well.