Peru declares health emergency over spread of Guillain-Barre syndrome: All you need to know about the rare disease

A 90-day nationwide health emergency has been declared by the Peruvian government in wake of the rising cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a neurological disorder that leads to extreme weakness and, in severe cases, can cause paralysis or even death. Since June 2023, Peru has reported 182 cases of GBS and four deaths caused by the syndrome, according to news agency MercoPress .

In an action plan to tackle the current situation, the country's President, Dina Boluarte, announced a decree allocating $3.27 million (nearly Rs 26 crore) for utilisation in the procurement of medicines, treatment of the people affected by the syndrome, and to take measures to curb the spread of the disease.

What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the nerves, leading to numbness, extreme weakness, and tingling starting from the legs. The syndrome can affect people of all ages, and reports suggest that it is more common among those who have suffered respiratory illness post COVID-19 infections.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of GBS are weakness, and fatigue, as per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, United States. A person affected by the syndrome may experience breathlessness and might even require oxygen support in some cases. Since the syndrome affects the nervous system, the brain could receive abnormal signals from the body, slowly leading to tingling or numbness along with extreme muscle pain and weakness.

Other symptoms in severe cases may include difficulty with eye muscles and vision. Difficulty swallowing or chewing may also be noticed in some cases. A person may also experience long episodes of body pain, abnormal heartbeat, or high blood pressure.

Cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Till now, researchers and doctors have not been able to find out the exact reason for this syndrome, but most commonly, the syndrome gets triggered by infections, mostly due to bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni. The people suffering from the influenza, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or even COVID-19, are more vulnerable to this disease.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome treatment

The only treatment that is being given to patients of Guillain-Barre syndrome is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which is made from donated blood that contains healthy antibodies.

Further treatment of the syndrome includes reducing the severity and duration of the illness. According to reports, it typically takes 15 to 20 days for most patients to recover, but in some cases, it can take years for a person to fully recover.