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 Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare neurological condition, most
common in adults, that can cause temporary paralysis. Some victims
may need intensive care for breathing difficulties, but most people
recover fully, the WHO says.
The WHO, which declared an international emergency over Zika on Feb.
1, says there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can cause the
birth defect microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by
unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems, and
could cause Guillain-Barre.
Active Zika outbreaks have been reported in at least 49 countries,
most of them in the Americas, according to the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Surveillance systems in place in 177 out of 194 WHO member states
currently check for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) as part of the
U.N. agency's global polio eradication program. The stools of
children younger than 15 years are analyzed in laboratory to confirm
polio or identify non-polio AFP cases, which include Guillain-Barre
syndrome cases.
"With increasing evidence of linkages between Guillain-Barré
syndrome and Zika virus infection, it is imperative to enhance
Guillain-Barré syndrome surveillance," WHO researchers led by Nirmal
Kandel said in a paper posted on the WHO website.
"This can be done using existing surveillance systems like the one
for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) used by polio eradication
programs. Further investigation of AFP cases classified as being due
to Guillain-Barre syndrome can be a starting point to test for Zika
virus."
Polio surveillance systems in countries present a platform for
global disease detection, monitoring and response, the researchers
said, noting that reporting systems and laboratory facilities are in
place.
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Last year, 99,582 cases of acute flaccid paralysis were detected
worldwide in children, including 72 cases of wild poliovirus
confirmed in a laboratory, the WHO paper said.
In the Americas region - where the Zika virus is spreading - the
annual rate of acute flaccid paralyis has been reported at between
0.8 and 1.1 per 100,000 children.
The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light
last year in Brazil, which has now confirmed more than 1,600 cases
of microcephaly that it considers to be related to Zika infections
in the mothers.
Brazil will host the 2016 Summer Olympics starting Aug. 5.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Tom Miles/Mark Heinrich)
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