Cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome not under reported - says De La Haye

Acting Chief  Medical Officer, Dr. Winston De La Haye, is denying suggestions that the Health Ministry is under-reporting cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, stating that numbers being presented are those confirmed, but acknowledges that there may be more cases which have not been diagnosed.

Guillain-Barré syndrome can be contracted if  an individual is infected with the Zika virus.         

The Health Ministry reported earlier this week that it has investigated thirteen cases since January.

De La Haye, who was a guest on Beyond the Headlines, sought to address the concern that cases of  Guillain-Barré syndrome could be misdiagnosed with other neurological conditions, thereby making the reports unreliable.

He said Jamaica is working with the World Health Organization on this matter.

Thirteen countries and territories worldwide have reported increased cases of  Guillain-Barré syndrome. 

The Acting Chief Medical Officer also made an appeal to medical practitioners to report suspected cases of  GBS involving their patients, saying that this as an important part in gathering accurate information about the impact of  the illness on the public.