The dreaded Zika virus is terrorizing certain areas of the world, and now the virus is not only linked to birth defect, but paralysis as well, according to the Washington Post.
As previously reported by HNGN, the mosquito-borne Zika virus has been linked to birth defects in newborns, causing brain and skull deformities. Now the virus is being linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. The disorder causes the immune system to attack nerves and cells within the body.
"I think we can say that the link between Zika and Guillain-Barre looks strong and would not be at all surprising," said Dr. Tom Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
No other place has been affected quite as heavily as Turbo, Columbia. Before the outbreak of the Zika virus, the city would see, maybe, one case of Guillain-Barre, if that. But now, they have seen five very sever cases in just the past six weeks, according to Inquisitr. Three of the five have died, one is still hanging on and, the last, a 10-year-old girl, has lost the use of her legs.
There have been two confirmations of the Zika virus linked to Guillain-Barre in the U.S., according to Time.
