Two cases of a rare polio-like illness that has recently been diagnosed in other parts of the county has been confirmed in Massachusetts.The Massachusetts Department of Public Heath said Tuesday that there have been two confirmed case of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, in the state and four more possible cases are being investigated.One of the confirmed cases was from August, officials said.AFM affects the body's nervous system, specifically the spinal cord, and can cause paralysis. Unlike polio, there is no vaccine for AFM.Six children in Minnesota have been diagnosed with the disease since mid-September, state health officials said.AFM can develop from a viral infection, although its exact cause is unknown. Symptoms include limb weakness, facial drooping and trouble swallowing or talking. Doctors stress the importance of recognizing the early signs of AFM and seeking care as soon as possible.Treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms. There is no specific treatment for AFM itself.AFM cases first spiked in the United States in August 2014. By the end of that year, 120 people had been diagnosed in 34 states.The increase coincided with a national outbreak of severe respiratory illness caused by enterovirus D68. From August 2014 to August 2018, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received information on 362 cases of AFM across the United States.The CDC says it's important to practice disease prevention steps: staying up to date on vaccines, washing hands and preventing mosquito bites.