French scientists say they have found evidence that there is a connection between Zika infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can lead to paralysis.

Thus there is a risk that the countries affected by sika epidemic will notice an increase in cases of the neurological disease. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition in which the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system. This can lead to paralysis but the paralysis usually goes over after a while.

Researchers at France's Pasteur Institute has analyzed data from a Zika outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013 and 2014 and the estimated risk of GBS to 2.4 per 10,000 cases of Zika infection.

- This work is important for it confirms the role zikaviruset player for the development of severe neurological complications Guillain-Barré syndrome poses, says Arnaud Fontanet, who has led the research.

- The regions affected by Zika epidemic will probably see a noticeable increase in the number of patients with serious neurological complications, says Fontanet. Wherever possible, the capacity to handle GBS cases increased, he said.