A rare disease that causes extremity and mobility issues has been reported in Hays and Travis Counties, according to health officials.

Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) is a disease that causes weakness and numbness in extremities, high fever and difficulty walking. One child in Hays County has been diagnosed with the disease according to local health officials. However, doctors are not required to report cases of the disease to county officials.

A total of 14 cases have been reported in Texas and 72 nationwide so far in 2018. Officials say the disease is contagious, but are not worried about it becoming widespread.

Experts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) do not yet know what causes the disease, but suspect it may be an adaptive disease that develops after a person contracts the West Nile Virus. It is recommended that to best avoid the disease, one wears mosquito repellent and drains standing water.

Eric Schneider, Hays County epidemiologist,, said parents should advise their children to practice standard health precautions by covering their coughs, washing their hands and going to see a doctor if they have a fever.

Schneider advises to watch for loss of motor control, high fever or difficulty walking. He said those who are diagnosed sooner rather than later have a better chance of returning to their normal functions after recovery.