8/18/2019 Colombia Links Zika to Rare Nerve Disorder Deaths

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Colombia links Zika to rare nerve disorder deaths

Colombia says three people have died after contracting the Zika virus and developing a

rare nerve disorder.

Health Minister Alejandro Gaviria said there was a causal connection between Zika!

the Guillain"#arre disorder and the three deaths.

$arlier! #ra%ilian scientists said they had detected for the first time active samples of

Zika in urine and saliva.

However! it is not clear whether the virus can be transmitted through bodily fluids.

Zika! a mos&uito"borne disease! has been linked to cases of babies born in #ra%il with

microcephaly " underdeveloped brains.

'e have confirmed and attributed three deaths to Zika! said the head of Colombia(s

 )ational Health *nstitute! Martha +ucia ,spina.

*n this case! the three deaths were preceded by Guillain"#arre syndrome.

Guillain"#arre is a rare disorder in which the body(s immune system attacks part of the

nervous system. *t isn(t normally fatal.

Ms ,spina said another si- deaths were being investigated for possible links to Zika.

,ther cases of deaths linked to Zika/ are going to emerge! she said. 0he world is

realising that Zika can be deadly. 0he mortality rate is not very high! but it can be

deadly.

Mr Gaviria said one of the fatalities took place in 1an Andres and the other two in

0urbo! in Antio&uia department.

23 virologist 4rof 5onathan #all! of the 2niversity of )ottingham! told the ##C6 'e

have been saying Zika has been associated with Guillain"#arre. ,ne of the

complications of that could be respiratory failure. #ut it is still probably a very rareevent.

Although Zika usually causes mild! flu"like symptoms! it has been linked to thousands

of suspected birth defects. However! it has not yet been proved that Zika causes either

microcephaly or Guillain"#arre.

0he main method of infection is via mos&uito bites but scientists in #ra%il say tests on

two patients revealed Zika can be found in other body fluids.

4aulo Gadelha! the head of #ra%il(s 7iocru% *nstitute which is part of the Ministry ofHealth! said6 0he presence of the active Zika virus has been found in saliva and urine.

8/18/2019 Colombia Links Zika to Rare Nerve Disorder Deaths

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#ut that does not mean there is a capacity for transmission through saliva and urine.

0races of Zika(s genetic material were detected in saliva and urine during the 89:;

outbreak in 7rench 4olynesia! but the #ra%ilian authorities say this is the first time

active virus has been detected.

,swaldo Cru%! also from 7iocru%! added6 *t means the virus is active! capable of

infecting a cell so this is completely different! it means that the virus is functional.

#ra%il has seen ; suspected cases of babies born with small brains! although only