The Peruvian government declared a 90-day national health emergency on Sunday due to an unusual outbreak of cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, following the deaths of four people from the disease that affects the nervous system.
It was “declared a National Health Emergency for a period of 90 days due to the unusual increase in cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome”, says a statement from the Ministry of Health. The emergency covers the 25 regions of the country.
“There has been a significant increase in recent weeks, which obliges us to take measures as a State to protect the health and life of the population,” Health Minister César Vásquez told the press.
The minister explained that this declaration will allow the purchase of immunoglobulin for the treatment of patients with the disease in the next two years.
The number of deaths from the syndrome rose to four, and cases surpassed 180 between January and July, according to a new balance sheet by the ministry.
understand the disease
The rare autoimmune syndrome manifests itself as progressive muscle weakness that develops over a period of two to four weeks and can affect the respiratory system. One of its most frequent symptoms is tingling and lack of strength in the extremities. The syndrome is usually caused by a previous infectious process.
According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, several infections are associated with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, the most common being caused by Campylobacter bacteria, which causes diarrhea. The disease causes the immune system itself to attack parts of the nervous system that connect the brain with other parts of the body.
Still according to the Ministry of Health, most people perceive as the first symptoms of the syndrome a feeling of numbness or burning in the extremities of the lower limbs (feet and legs) and then in the upper limbs (hands and arms).
See the symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Somnolence;
- Mental confusion;
- Coma;
- Epileptic seizure;
- Alteration of the level of consciousness;
- Loss of muscle coordination;
- Double vision;
- Facial weakness;
- Tremors;
- Reduction or loss of muscle tone;
- Numbness, burning or itching in the limbs.
The syndrome has no cure, but there are treatments that manage to relieve symptoms and prevent the progression of the disease. It may involve medications such as immunobiologicals, blood plasma transfusion procedures and rehabilitation techniques.
The Ministry of Health also points out that 1 to 4 cases of the syndrome are registered every 100,000 people annually in Brazil, especially between 20 and 40 years of age.
