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Zika virus can cause rare paralysis disorder, research confirms

New research has confirmed the Zika virus can trigger the paralysing condition Guillain-Barre. It...
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Newstalk

09.32 1 Mar 2016


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Zika virus can cause rare para...

Zika virus can cause rare paralysis disorder, research confirms

Newstalk
Newstalk

09.32 1 Mar 2016


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New research has confirmed the Zika virus can trigger the paralysing condition Guillain-Barre.

It was revealed two weeks ago that Colombian doctors had found the virus in five patients with the neurological condition.

Now scientists at the Institut Pasteur in France have analysed a Zika outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013-14 and also found patients have increased risk of Guillain-Barre (GBS) around six days later.

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The syndrome is caused by an abnormal immune response to an infection, which results in nerve damage and paralysis.

In 20-30% of patients the breathing muscles stop working and 5% die despite intensive care.

Professor Arnaud Fontanet, the lead researcher, said that the condition could be a massive challenge for countries with limited healthcare in south and central America.

"In our study 38% of the patients had to be hospitalised in intensive care for respiratory assistance," he said.

"We need to urge countries to get ready in areas where the epidemic is reaching its peak to be able - as much as they can - to accommodate those patients in intensive care units".

The researchers calculate in The Lancet medical journal that 24 in every 100,000 people infected with Zika will go on to develop Guillain-Barre.

The finding suggests hundreds of people in South and Central America are likely to become paralysed as the pandemic unfolds, with recovery uncertain.

If the virus has mutated, or the Latin American population is more susceptible than the Polynesians to severe effects of the infection, the numbers could be even higher.

The health minister of Colombia has warned hospitals to prepare for 1,500 cases of Guillain-Barre over the coming months.


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