Unknown Virus: Death by Mysterious Polio-Like Disease Rises in the US

An unidentified polio-like disease has killed a six-year-old boy on October 30. Daniel Ramirez Porter's demise is the latest addition to the deaths linked to the mysterious disease.

According to AOL, Daniel has exhibited symptoms of a fever and, soon after, headaches, stumbling, drooling, and speech problems prior to his death.

He was taken to Seattle Children's Hospital, but the doctors failed to identify the disease and thus failed to treat him properly. The doctors initially thought it was a neurological condition called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). Just like polio, AFM is characterized by a sudden weakness in muscles and decreased or absent reflexes.

"They had no clue what it was," De Guzman, 33 told Washington Post. "At first they thought it was a bacteria, so they were giving him antibiotics. That didn't work, and they figured out it was a virus. They were giving him pain medicine, blood pressure medicine and steroids to help with swelling in his brain."

His parents eventually agreed to place Daniel into a medically induced coma.

"They said they could try to put him in an induced coma to let his body fight the virus," De Guzman said. "All Daniel wanted to do when he got this was to rest, so we chose the coma."

At least 30 doctors went to see Daniel's condition. But none of them has managed to provide cure to the infection. Daniel's death was announced on a facebook page made by his mother. She refused to label the disease as AFM, rather she called it an "unknown virus."

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that at present, the rare condition has already affected 89 patients in 33 states.

Researchers at the CDC said they are more puzzled than ever by what is causing the unidentified condition.

"CDC is concerned about AFM and the individuals and families affected. We are intensifying our efforts to figure out what causes AFM and puts people at risk."