A new study confirms that the Zika virus is strongly connected to the rare, neurological Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Scientists found the connection while analyzing the blood of the 42 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in French Polynesia during a previous Zika outbreak a couple of years ago. A study published in the Lancet medical journal stated that before the majority of GBS patients experienced the symptoms of the neurological disorder, they experienced the symptoms of the Zika virus infection.

When the scientists looked at the blood work of GBS patients, they determined that around 97% had antibodies against Zika, indicating that they have been infected by the virus. Furthermore, more than 80% of the patients experienced the symptoms of Zika infection, including fever, joint pain and rash six days before developing GBS.

"Most of the patients with GBS reported they had experienced symptoms of Zika virus infection on average six days before any neurological symptoms, and all carried Zika virus antibodies," said lead author Prof. Arnaud Fontanet, via The Guardian.

Their findings support the link that the Zika virus may be what's triggering the Guillain-Barre sickness in some people infected with the virus. They predict that there will be 1 in 4,000 people getting sick with Zika that will have GBS.

Unfortunately, the scientists also found that GBS in patients triggered by Zika is different than what is normally associated with the paralysing disorder. According to Los Angeles Times, most of the patients in the study have damage in the nerves' electrical signals. This means that the immune system may attack the body's nerves in different ways.

"These patients tended to deteriorate more rapidly than we usually see with Guillain-Barré. But once they were over the acute phase of the illness, their recovery tended to be better," said Dr. Fontanet, as reported by BBC.

Professor Hugh Willison of Glasgow University told the outlet that the study shouldn't alarm people into panic as the risk of getting GBS from Zika is low.

"On an individual level, we shouldn't be frightening people into thinking that if they get Zika infection they'll automatically get Guillain-Barré -- because the risk is actually rather low," he said. "But if a million people get infected with Zika, that's hundreds of unexpected cases of Guillain-Barré."

According to Mayo Clinic, there is no definite cause for Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is a condition where the immune system attacks the nerves, which results in tingling and weakness, which can then end up paralyzing the body. The majority of people can recover from the illness and sometimes it can leave lingering effects such as fatigue or numbness.

The researchers say that it is best to prepare intensive care unit wards in Zika-affected countries as the spread of the virus may prompt cases of GBS.

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