Zika linked to second autoimmune disorder similar to multiple sclerosis

Luke Skywalker · Apr 12, 2016

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The CDC announced that the Zika virus may be 'scarier than we initially thought,' saying the mosquito-borne virus could be linked to more birth defects than previously believed.

Patients receive treatment at a medical mobile unit in the Brazlandia neighborhood of Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. The medical unit is in place to attend those who have been affected by diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, like dengue, malaria and Zika.(Photo: Eraldo Peres, AP)

The Zika virus has been linked to a second type of autoimmune disorder, according to a small study released today.
Doctors have known that Zika is associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis, since the Zika outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013-2014.
Now, scientists have linked Zika to a condition similar to multiple sclerosis, called acute disseminated encephalomyeltis, or ADEM,*a swelling of the brain and spinal cord that affects the myelin, the coating around nerve fibers, according to a paper to be presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Vancouver.
Authors of the study followed people who were hospitalized in*Recife, Brazil because of symptoms that could be caused by Zika, dengue or chikungunya*— which are all spread by the same species of mosquito, the Aedes aegypti*—*between December 2014 and December 2015. All of the people had fever followed by a rash. Some also had severe itching, muscle and joint pain and red eyes.
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Six of those people develop neurological problems that were consistent with autoimmune diseases. Four developed Guillain-Barre syndrome.
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The other two*developed ADEM, according to the paper. Unlike multiple sclerosis, a chronic illness,*ADEM usually consists of a single attack and most people recover within six*months. In some cases, the disease comes back.
Five of the six people still had problems with their muscles when they were discharged from the hospital, according to the report. One had vision problems and one had issues with memory and thinking. Tests showed all had Zika virus and none had dengue or chikungunya.
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Doctors have been most concerned about Zika's effects on the brains of developing fetuses. Brazil's Zika epidemic has been accompanied by a surge in cases of microceophaly, in which babies are born with abnormally small heads.
Zika also has been linked to*meningoencephalitis, a dangerous inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain, as well a type of sudden paralysis called myelitis, or inflammation of the spinal cord.
"Before the outbreak of Zika in the Western Hemisphere, the medical world knew very little about this infection and it was mostly regarded as travel-medicine trivia," said Amesh Adalja, a senior associate at the Center for Health Security at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "With the large numbers of cases occurring and the heightened scrutiny of cases, we are beginning to see that the full spectrum of disease caused by this virus can include severe complications involving the central nervous system."

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSU.S. swimmers address Zika, Michael Phelps, Rio Olympics | 01:44Members and hopefuls from the 2016 U.S. Olympic swimming team address concerns over the Zika virus, Michael Phelps' return and competing in the Olympics for the first time. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSOlympic media summit: Zika virus on athletes' minds | 01:56USA TODAY Sports' Rachel Axon recaps it all.

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSRio de Janeiro firefighters, drones join Zika battle | 01:07Firefighters in the state of Rio de Janeiro will use drones to identify potential Zika mosquito breeding areas
Video provided by AFP Newslook

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO director: Zika is 'mysterious and tricky virus' | 01:11USA TODAY Sports' Martin Rogers reporting from Brazil, where the Director General of the World Health Organization is addressing the growing Zika virus crisis. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSFauci: US Transmission of Zika Expected | 02:08Disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, said Friday that there have not yet been any cases of locally transmitted Zika virus in the continental United States, bud added he wouldn't be surprised if that changes. (Feb. 12) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSUS Olympic Teams Preparing for Zika Threat | 01:17The CEO of USA Track and Field says Olympic teams are looking into ways to minimize the threat of the Zika virus when athletes travel to Rio de Janeiro for this year's Olympic games. (Feb. 11) AP

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSPa. Student Has Recovered After Contracting Zika | 01:11Lehigh University said in a message to students, staff and faculty on Wednesday that a student had traveled abroad over winter break and later tested positive for Zika virus, but has since recovered "and is feeling well." (Feb. 11) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSUSOC addresses Zika virus concerns | 00:47The USOC will add disease specialists to address added concerns about the spread of the Zika virus in Rio. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSCDC: Expect 'significant number' of Zika cases | 01:41CDC Director Thomas Frieden told a congressional committee Wednesday that the U.S. should expect to see "significant numbers" of infections of the Zika virus in territories including Puerto Rico. (Feb. 10) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSZika virus could keep Hope Solo out of Olympics | 00:56Due to the spreading Zika virus, U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo told SI.com, If I had to make the choice today, I wouldn't go [to the Olympics]." Time_Sports

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSThe White House is asking For $1.8B to counter The Zika virus | 00:56The money would go to mosquito control programs, research for a vaccine, health services for low-income pregnant women and more. Newslook

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSFL Residents Take Steps to Prep Against Zika | 01:41Preparing for a fight against the mosquito-born virus Zika, concerned residents in Florida hire exterminators and get educated. (Feb. 5) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSExperts Call For More Resources to Combat Zika | 01:57President Barack Obama is asking Congress for more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding to fight the Zika virus and the mosquitoes that spread it here and abroad. (Feb. 8) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWS6 Things To Know About Zika Virus | 02:39CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden answers questions about the Zika virus and new guidelines issued by the health agency on Friday. (Feb. 5) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSSexually transmitted Zika virus reported in Texas | 02:38The Dallas County health department has confirmed two people in the Texas county have tested positive for the Zika virus. One patient had sexual contact with another infected individual; the other patient contracted the virus while in Venezuela. WFAA-TV

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSZika Spread Through Blood Transfusion in Brazil | 01:132 people in Brazil contracted the Zika virus through blood transfusions, a municipal health official says, presenting a fresh challenge to efforts to contain the virus on top of the disclosure of a case of sexual transmission in the US. (Feb. 4) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSGuarding your home from the Zika virus | 01:10A USA TODAY motion graphic showing how to prevent your home from becoming a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito, known to spread the Zika virus.
Source: National Environmental Health Association Ramon Padilla Berna Elibuyuk and Liz Szabo, USA TODAY

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSExpert: Majority of Blood Supply Safe from Zika | 01:27With Brazilian officials confirming two people contracted Zika virus through blood transfusions, there is concern more cases could appear. Experts say there are ways to pre-screen blood donors to "cut down significantly on the risk." (Feb. 4) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSDoctor: Many More Will Be Infected With Zika | 01:20A sexually transmitted case of Zika in Texas has scientists scrambling to understand how much of a risk infection through sex is for the usually mosquito-spread illness. (Feb. 4) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWisc Mother Shares Experience with Microcephaly | 02:22The Zika virus is drawing worldwide attention to a devastating birth defect that until now has gotten little public notice. A Wisconsin mother is all too familiar with the condition_ her infant son has microcephaly. (Feb. 4) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSOlympic committee dealing with Zika virus | 00:56Update on the Zika virus and how it may impact the Summer Olympics in Rio. USA TODAY Sports

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSCDC Emergency Op. Center Tracks Zika Virus | 01:11The Associated Press gets a look inside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is monitoring the spread of the Zika virus from their Emergency Operations Center. (Feb. 3) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSHealth ministers convene in Uruguay over Zika | 00:43Health ministers representing 15 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo on Wednesday to discuss a common policy to combat the regional expansion of the Zika virus. (Feb. 3) AP

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSGenetically modified mosquitoes released to take on Zika Virus | 02:07Feb. 3 -- A small British biotech firm is taking a leading role in the fight against the Zika virus - by releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into affected areas. Bloomberg's Tom Mackenzie visited their breeding lab near Oxford to find out more Bloomberg

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSBrevard Prepared to Fend Off Zika Virus | 00:30The World Health Organization announced on Monday that the explosive spread of the Zika virus in the Americas is an "extraordinary event" that merits being declared an international emergency. (Feb. 1) APThe same type of mosquito spreading the Zik Wochit

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSSexually transmitted Zika virus reported in Texas | 02:38The Dallas County health department has confirmed two people in the Texas county have tested positive for the Zika virus. One patient had sexual contact with another infected individual; the other patient contracted the virus while in Venezuela.

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO declares Zika outbreak a global emergency | 01:55The World Health Organization announced on Monday that the explosive spread of the Zika virus in the Americas is an "extraordinary event" that merits being declared an international emergency. (Feb. 1) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSZika virus: 5 things you need to know | 01:00Zika, a virus transmitted through mosquito bites, is affecting multiple countries in Latin America, and is expected to spread to the U.S. VPC

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Video provided by Newsy Newslook

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO Holds Crisis Meeting on Zika Virus | 01:28The World Health Organization (WHO) has begun a crisis meeting considering whether the explosive spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is linked to birth defects in the Americas, should be declared a global health emergency. (Feb. 1) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSExpert Says Zika Outbreak Not Likely in the U.S. | 01:45Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the chances of a Zika outbreak in the United States is not likely. Fauci spoke at a luncheon event in Washington, DC on Friday. (Jan. 29) AP

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ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSMosquitoes are spreading a rare virus | 00:44In the past year, Zika has spread from Africa and Asia through the Americas. In Brazil, the number of infants born with shrunken, malformed brains has gone up by a factor of 10 since Zika entered the country. USA TODAY

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSCDC: Pregnant Women at Greatest Risk for Zika | 03:34Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning pregnant women to postpone travel plans to areas where Zika virus has been reported in the hopes of reducing risks of birth defects and spread of virus. (Jan. 28) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSConcerns Zika Virus Could Spread Through Americas | 02:33The Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has been found in nearly two dozen Latin American countries. The virus is suspected of causing birth defects. Health officials are concerned it could spread to the US and Canada. (Jan. 28) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSRio Olympics monitoring spread of Zika virus | 00:35With the Rio Olympics seven months away, daily inspections of stagnant water in Brazil are ongoing where mosquitoes spread the Zika virus.

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSWHO To Hold Emergency Session on Zika Virus | 02:14The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said it was convening an emergency committee on Monday to decide if the Zika virus outbreak should be declared an international health emergency. (Jan. 28) AP

ZIKA VIRUS IN THE NEWSCDC Discusses Rise in Emerging Zika Virus | 02:09The CDC says there is growing concern about the emerging, mosquito-borne Zika virus after a surge in cases of a rare brain defect among babies in Brazil. Although cases of the Zika virus are still rare in the U.S., they're on the rise. (Jan. 20) AP

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Zika linked to second autoimmune disorder similar to multiple sclerosis

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