Four adult male patients with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, suspected to be related to Zika virus infection have been admitted to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, the Ministry of Health said on Friday.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) affects the nervous system of the body and can result in weakness and even paralysis.
One patient has recovered completely and was discharged from hospital. The other three patients remain stable and have not required breathing support, Luis de Shong, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
“All of these patients have received the recommended immunoglobulin treatment sourced from the PAHO Zika Fund. These patients, though not having laboratory confirmation of Zika infection because they presented after the three-day window for CARPHA testing, had clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of a preceding Zika infection,” de Shong explained.
The Ministry of Health said it continues to support and monitor the pregnant women who have tested Zika positive and those with a clinical diagnosis suggestive of having been exposed to the Zika virus.
“The Ministry uses this opportunity to remind the public that everyone, not just pregnant women, should avoid being bitten by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector that carries Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue Fever. Everyone should use insect repellants, containing DEET, and wear long sleeves and long skirts or pants,” de Shong said.
“The Ministry urges everyone to get rid of all mosquito breeding sites in their homes, yards and workplaces, by securely covering or turning over any containers holding water, placing fine mesh over the vents of septic tanks, and clearing gutters and spouting.
The Ministry will continue to keep the public updated on Zika in SVG and anticipates continued partnering with the people of SVG to maintain our health,” the senior health official said.
Some of the worst mosquito breeding areas in SVG are the open drains on Back, Middle, and Bay Streets in Kingstown which are filled with countless small puddles of unsprayed stagnant water during the rainy reason, June-Dcember.
Is it any coincident that whenever unfavourable matters are in the air that Zika and Aids reports are sent out by this dep’t?.