Zika virus may be linked to rare syndrome that causes paralysis

Rio de Janeiro

A MOSQUITO-BORNE virus that has been linked to severe brain damage in infants may be causing another health crisis as well, Brazilian officials and doctors warn: hundreds of cases of a rare syndrome in which patients can be almost completely paralysed for weeks.

The virus, called Zika, made its way to Brazil recently but is spreading rapidly around Latin America and the Caribbean.