Guillain-Barre on rise in Latin America, suspected link to Zika yet to be proven

The World Health Organization reported Saturday on an upsurge in cases of the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Suriname and Venezuela.

The WHO stated that the cause of the increase in GBS remains unknown, especially as dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus have been circulating in the Americas concurrently.

GBS is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves.

While there have been no confirmed Zika patients with GBS in Colombia and El Salvador, Venezuela has reported 252 cases of GBS occurring at the same time and in the same areas as Zika infections. The country also confirmed Zika virus infections in three GBS cases, one of them fatal.

The WHO stated that while the links between Zika, the birth defect microcephaly and GBS are not proven, scientists continue to suspect such connections and may be able to prove it in a matter of weeks.

More articles on Zika:
WHO provides informational Q&A about Zika virus and microcephaly 
Obama seeks $1.8B to prevent, combat Zika virus 
Physician dedicates website to Zika coverage

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