The increase in the number of cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome is causing concern among infectious disease specialists and neurologists who are calling on the authorities to maintain their program of eliminating the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the Zika virus, which is associated with the Syndrome and also transmits dengue fever and chikungunya.
The call was made by doctors Talia Flores, president of the Infectious Diseases’ Society, pediatrician and infectious diseases specialist, Clemente Terreno and neurologist Edwin Espinal Fortuna.
In the past few days, nine new patients with Guillain-Barre have been hospitalized, two at the Marcelino Velez Santana Hospital, two at the Vinicio Calventi Hospital, two at the Hugo Mendoza Pediatric Hospital, and one at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic.
According to Espinal Fortuna, the initial symptoms of the syndrome are drowsiness, a prickling sensation and muscular weakness. He added that they were trying to establish whether there is a link to the Zika virus. The syndrome can go on to cause paralysis and even death.
The latest Epidemiological Bulletin for week 2 shows 16 suspected Guillain-Barre cases, with eight in the National District, five in Santo Domingo province, one in Azua and one in San Juan de la Maguana. The only drug that can control the disease is immunoglobin that is very expensive in the country but is being provided free of charge by the Ministry of Health.
