6-year-old Bellingham boy dies of unknown neurological virus

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A 6-year-old Bellingham boy has died of an unknown virus that had been attacking his brain, family said Monday.

The Bellingham Herald reports Daniel Ramirez was rushed to Seattle Children's Hospital on Oct. 15 for symptoms including drooling, slurred speech, pain in his leg and incontinence. The virus eventually moved to Daniel's brain, causing swelling and seizures.

His condition worsened each day as doctors struggled to pinpoint the cause, according to the Bellingham Herald.

"Daniel was an amazingly sweet little boy, who could put a smile on anyone's face," his family wrote <a href="https://www.facebook.com/prayingfordanielramirezporter/posts/213322122433040" target="_blank">as they announced his death online</a>. "He had a personality that made him loved by everyone who ever met him. Daniel was taken from us too soon, but his memory will live on, and he will never be forgotten."

Eight children were admitted to Seattle Children’s Hospital with acute neurologic illnesses and the State Department of Health is investigating the possibility of acute flaccid myelitis, a rare condition affecting the nervous system.

There are many different causes of AFM. Symptoms typically include sudden weakness in one or more arms or legs, along with loss of muscle tone and decreased or absent reflexes.

The exact cause of AFM is unknown, though many viruses and germs are linked to AFM, including common germs that cause colds and sore throats.

“At this point there isn’t evidence that would point to a single source of illness among these cases,” Dr. Scott Lindquist, state infectious disease epidemiologist, said in a health department statement. “However, this investigation is just getting underway and we’re looking at all possibilities as we try to understand what might have contributed to these illnesses.”

The eight children were admitted to the hospital with a range of types and severity of symptoms, but all had a loss of strength or movement in one or more arms or legs.

To help the family of Daniel Ramirez, see a link embedded below to their GoFundMe page. Family members say the money donated will go toward providing Daniel with "the celebration of life he deserves."