Guatemala reports unusual increase in Guillain Barré syndrome cases in past 3 months
Guatemala reports unusual increase in Guillain Barré syndrome cases in past 3 months
The Guatemala Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance -MSPAS reports continuing to monitor, surveille, study and institute preventive measures against the acute neurological disease Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS).
From November 24, 2023 to February 25, 2024, 80 accumulated cases have been reported, including five deaths.
Suchitepéquez Department accounts for 63 of the cases from the following municipalities—Cuyotenango 16, Samayac 9, Mazatenango 8, San Bernardino 7, Chicacao 7, Saint Paul Jocopilas 4, San Antonio 4, San Francisco Zapotitlán 2, Santo Tomás La Unión 2, San José The Machine 2, San Lorenzo 1, San Lorenzo 1 and New Town 1.
They are followed by Retalhuleu with nine cases in San Andrés Villa Seca (6), departmental cacabecera (1), Nuevo San Carlos (1) and San Felipe (1), two cases in Huehuetenango, two in Quetzaltenango, of which one is in the departmental capital and another in Colomba Costa Cuca.
In the department of Guatemala there are two cases, one in the capital city and another in Villa Nueva; two in Sololá, of which one is in Nahualá and another in Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán.
The Ministry of Health teams continue the investigation to advance in the causes of the outbreak or unusual increase in cases. Added to this is the field work carried out in Suchitepéquez with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which has allowed interviews to be carried out with patients, medical personnel and the taking of samples in water and food supply systems. among others, with which the following results have been obtained:
Inspections in 21 municipalities
Monitoring of food businesses in markets, street sales, sales of alcoholic beverages
19 establishments closed preventively in Cuyotenango (13), San Bernardino (4) and Río Bravo (2)
Talks to food handlers
Extension of food handling cards issued
Notices to vendors to request their food handling cards, which are essential, since they allow them to establish that they have received the educational talks.
The Health portfolio reiterates to the population that health care efforts belong to everyone, since when implementing prevention measures we are contributing to the benefit of our communities.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your hands and feet are usually the first symptoms.
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These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment.
The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown. But two-thirds of patients report symptoms of an infection in the six weeks preceding. These include a COVID-19, respiratory or a gastrointestinal infection or Zika virus.
There's no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. Although most people recover completely from Guillain-Barre syndrome, some severe cases can be fatal. While recovery may take up to several years, most people are able to walk again six months after symptoms first started. Some people may have lasting effects from it, such as weakness, numbness or fatigue.