In Latin America, there is an outbreak of a disease that leads to paralysis: doctors cannot find the cause

Peru has declared a state of emergency as doctors battle an outbreak of a rare disease that could lead to lifelong paralysis or death. New York Post.

Photo: IStock

More than 230 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) have been reported in the South American country, with more than half of the cases occurring in the short five-week period from June to July.

A rare condition, GBS typically only affects about 3000 people a year in the US, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Four people in Peru have died from the disease since the beginning of the year. The still unknown cause of the outbreak is forcing health officials to fight the problem.

On the subject: Family from Colorado died in the Rocky Mountains: they wanted to live 'off the grid', but could not stand the winter cold

“I think the origin of this outbreak is still not fully understood,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

"We haven't solved this mystery," Schaffner confirmed.

With numerous tourist attractions including archaeological sites like Machu Picchu, Peru remains popular with travelers, though officials warn that precautions must be taken.

What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome

When Guillain-Barré syndrome occurs, it usually follows an upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection such as influenza, COVID-19, or gastroenteritis. In some cases, it occurs after surgery, injury, or a reaction to immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

GBS is a neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks the nervous system. The first symptom is often a tingling, tingling sensation in the legs, which may gradually spread upward to the arms and upper body. This feeling comes on quickly, although it may develop slowly over several weeks. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, double vision, unsteady gait, fever, and problems with bladder control or bowel function.

In severe cases, the muscles may not function at all, leading to paralysis, even breathing becomes difficult. This makes GBS a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

There is no cure for GBS, and even among those who do recover, lingering paralysis or nerve damage is common. Recovery can take from six months to several years. The World Health Organization released a statement on the outbreak on July 25 and noted that a similar situation occurred in Peru with approximately 700 cases of GBS in 2019.

Health officials have determined that the 2019 outbreak was largely caused by infections from the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, which is a common precursor to GBS.

What is Campylobacter jejuni

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Campylobacter infection is the leading cause of diarrheal disease in the United States. It is usually caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacteria.

“It takes very little Campylobacter bacteria to make someone sick,” the CDC said in a statement. “One drop of juice from raw chicken can contain enough bacteria to infect someone.”

Campylobacter infection is the most commonly identified cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Indeed, according to the WHO, laboratory testing during the current outbreak in Peru has identified Campylobacter infection in many cases of GBS.

Campylobacteriosis is more common in summer than in winter. Health experts advise caution, in particular paying close attention to hand hygiene and food choices, especially for people traveling to areas with GBS caused by bacterial infections.

But taking safe food and water precautions is important for people around the world: In 2015, testing by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System found Campylobacter in 24% of raw chicken bought from US retailers.

When it comes to food safety, there are simple and smart strategies you can use to reduce your risk of exposure to Campylobacter and other germs, Schaffner says.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read all this on ForumDaily New Y

“In the words of one of my former professors (he was an expert in travel medicine), don’t eat anything that can’t be cooked or cleaned,” Schaffner added.

Read also on ForumDaily:

United Airlines pilot came to work drunk: he was sentenced to 6 months in prison and his license was suspended

The mayor of Anchorage is ready to buy flights to other states for the homeless so that they do not freeze in Alaska

In Italy, hail turned the street into an icy river: there are dead

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.