Two confirmed cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome linked to the Zika virus have been reported in the US, health authorities told TIME on Thursday.
The link between Zika and the birth defect microcephaly has received much attention. But health experts are also concerned about the link between the virus and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition where the immune system starts attacking the body’s nerves, which leads to weakness that can eventually result in temporary paralysis. In some cases, the disorder can interfere with breathing.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed to TIME that there have been two cases of GBS in the US in people who also tested positive for Zika virus. “I think we can say that the link between Zika and Guillain-Barre looks strong and would not be at all surprising,” says Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the CDC. “We’ve seen similar post infection complications after many different infections, including some that are quite similar to Zika. That is a link that’s getting stronger.”
One reported GBS case has been linked to Zika in Puerto Rico, which the CDC described in a recent report. In that case, a 37-year-old man developed a rash that was followed by symptoms of weakness. It was confirmed that he had GBS and tested positive for the Zika virus.
The CDC has not released details about the two people with GBS linked to Zika yet.
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