Health officials probe tie between Zika, paralyzing syndrome

The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and “is not spread directly from person to person”, according to PHE.

The surge of cases since the virus was first detected a year ago in Brazil led the ministry to link it to the fetal deformations and warn pregnant women to use insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites.

The World Health Organization said authorities in El Salvador reported 46 cases of Guillain-Barre in just five weeks, from December 1 to January 6.

On Jan. 15, the CDC issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing: the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a US territory; Brazil; Colombia; El Salvador; French Guiana; Guatemala; Haiti; Honduras; Martinique; Mexico; Panama; Paraguay; Suriname; and Venezuela.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves eventually paralyzing the entire body, has been reported in patients with probable Zika virus infection in French Polynesia and Brazil, the CDC reported.

While many who contract Zika virus will exhibit no symptoms, those who do should expect a low grade fever, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, rash, and – possibly – conjunctivitis.

Albert Ko, a professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, said a link between Zika and Guillain-Barre is “plausible and highly likely”. The CDC is also asking all health care providers to question all pregnant women about travel to the affected countries so they can be appropriately screened.

“We strongly advise all travellers to avoid mosquito bites and urge pregnant women to consider avoiding travel to areas where Zika outbreaks are now reported”.

Dr Hilary Kirkbride, travel and migrant health expert at PHE, said: “The symptoms of Zika are similar to other mosquito-borne infections such as dengue, chikungunya and malaria so laboratory testing is essential for the correct diagnosis”.

“We’re just seeing the sheer size, the magnitude brings those rare cases above the radar whereas in the past the outbreaks didn’t involve almost as many people”, said Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Anyone of any age can get Guillain-Barre, although it is very rare. “I’m not going to risk a child”. “I already have three children and I don’t want problems”.

In Colombia, Deputy Health Minister Fernando Ruiz said his country has recorded 13,531 suspected cases of Zika and that could hit a half-million this year.

Official figures show 96 pregnant women are suspected of having contracted the virus, but so far none have had babies born with microcephaly.

Ruiz said there have been 12 cases of people with Guillain-Barre who also experienced Zika-like symptoms.