With no known cure or direct treatment, many paralysis victims suffer permanent disabilities, even after extensive physical therapy.

A respiratory virus linked to paralysis in children is spreading across the US, causing concerns about a potential rise in a rare polio-like illness.

Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, has voiced concern over the timing of the rise in cases. “...the time of year is right,” Rivers noted, hinting at the possibility of a surge in AFM cases this year.

The virus is called enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is not a new virus but has recently resurfaced in US and is mainly affecting children.