Guillain-Barre syndrome can render healthy people temporarily paralyzed. It's something you're likely to hear more about as Zika continues to spread. And for those who get it, it is one wild ride.
Researchers say Zika virus should be added to the list of diseases that cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological condition that's been rising in areas with Zika transmission.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito is an old foe, spreading yellow fever and dengue on the islands long before Zika gained a foothold. How do you stop an insect that can breed in a teaspoonful of stale water?
So far, the U.S. territory has reported 117 Zika cases, including five pregnant women. But health officials say the real test will come when April and May rains bring more mosquitoes.
There's no vaccine yet, but Zika researchers are racing to find a good candidate. After testing it in animals, checking for effectiveness in humans might include injecting Zika into healthy people.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is involved on nearly every front, from diagnostics to the study of a possible link to microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Before awarding compensation, the court wants a "preponderance of evidence" that a vaccine caused the injury. Some years, the nearly $4 billion fund earns more interest than it pays out in claims.
It has been nearly 30 years since Congress established a special court to help keep good vaccines on the market and fairly compensate the rare person who has a severe reaction. Who wins these cases?
