Lima, Peru
Lima/Geneva: The Presidency of the Republic of Peru on July 8, 2023, declared a national health emergency due to the unusual increase in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in different regions of the country. There is currently no known cure for GBS and to date, the potential cause of the unexpected GBS incidence remains under investigation there.
According to historical data (excluding the 2019 outbreak), the average monthly number of GBS cases registered is less than 20 suspected cases per month nationwide in Peru. However, between June 10 and July 15, 2023, 130 suspected cases of GBS had been reported, out of which, 44 were confirmed. This increase in the number of observed cases was higher than expected. An epidemiological alert was already raised on June 26, 2023, by the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention, and Disease Control (CDC) of the Ministry of Health of Peru, due to an unusual increase in Guillain-Barré Syndrome GBS cases in different regions of the country.
Since the start of the year, the highest number of GBS cases were recorded in seven of the country’s 24 departments: Lima and Callao (75 cases), La Libertad (39), Piura (21), Lambayeque (20), Cajamarca (17), Junín (12), and Cusco (10). As of July 15, 2023, 100 cases have been confirmed to be compatible with GBS, including four deaths (Case Fatality Rate (CFR) 1.7%). The preliminary clinical manifestations of these 130 cases included gastrointestinal infection, respiratory infection and fever. In addition, 72.3% of these cases (94 cases) presented with upward progression of paralysis as a neurological manifestation, with other cases presenting with some type of sequelae.
The age group most affected were adults ≥ 30 years (158 cases) while children under 17 years of age accounted for 19% of the cases (44 cases). More than half of the reported cases (133; 57.6%) were males.
The World Health Organization (WHO) today advised Member States to maintain the ongoing monitoring of the incidence and trends of neurological disorders, especially GBS, to identify variations against their expected baseline values and implement protocols for improved patient management. WHO said that by closely observing and tracking these conditions, countries can effectively respond to any changes and ensure appropriate measures are in place to address potential public health concerns.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare condition, and while it is more common in adults and males, people of all ages can be affected. The cause of it is not fully understood, but most cases follow an infection with a virus or bacteria. This leads the immune system to attack the body itself.
– global bihari bureau
