2023-07-09 18:41:29
Peru
National emergency declared following rise in cases of rare condition
“The unusual increase in cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome” has led the Peruvian government to take measures in all regions of the country.
PostedJuly 9, 2023, 8:41 PM
Guillain-Barré is a neurological condition characterized by progressive muscle weakness, which can affect the respiratory system. (Pretext image)
An unusual upsurge in Peru cases of Guillain-Barré, a syndrome causing acute paralyzing neuropathy that can lead to death, led this Latin American country to declare a national state of health emergency for three months.
“Significant increase”
“The national level health emergency is declared for 90 days due to the unusual increase in cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome,” the Peruvian Ministry of Health said in a statement. The 25 regions of this country of 33 million inhabitants are concerned. “There has been a significant increase in recent weeks that obliges us to take measures at state level to protect the health and life of the population,” Health Minister César Vásquez told reporters.
Progressive muscle weakness
The declaration will make it possible to purchase immunoglobulin for the treatment of affected patients for the next two years. Four died and the number of cases exceeded 180 between January and July, according to a latest report from the ministry.
Guillain-Barré is a neurological condition, also called acute polyradiculoneuritis, which is characterized by progressive muscle weakness that occurs over two to four weeks and can affect the respiratory system. The WHO, which describes the syndrome as a “rare condition”, explains that “the affected patient’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves.” One of the most common symptoms is tingling and lack of strength in the extremities.
(AFP)Show comments
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